Tim Hortons in Afganistan
 

Tim Hortons heads to Afghanistan base

Wed, March 8, 2006

By DANIEL NOLAN, CP



HAMILTON -- The slogan, "You've always got time for Tim Hortons," now applies to soldiers in Afghanistan.

After weeks of persistent requests, Canadian soldiers got good news yesterday with word a Tim Hortons store will open soon in Kandahar.

Requests from soldiers were relayed to Gen. Rick Hillier, chief of defence staff, who eventually got the message passed to the company and to Ron Joyce, who co-founded the famous chain in Hamilton in 1964 with NHL hockey player Tim Horton.

No timeline has been set, but Joyce, who retired and sold his share of the company years ago, says he's been told it will happen "shortly."

While Tim Hortons did not confirm the report, company officials told a reporter they are happy to be a part of the initiative.

"They are doing it," Joyce said. "The management team in Oakville has got it in hand and it's going to happen. They've just got to get the pieces together."

The store is expected to be housed in a trailer with takeout windows, and deliveries will be made to the Canadian base in Kandahar by military transport. Staffing plans are to be determined.

Retired Maj-Gen. Cam Ross said opening the Tim Hortons isn't trivial and it should boost troops' spirits.

"I can definitely tell you Tim Hortons does influence positively (on the) morale of deployed troops," he said. "It connects with Canada. How much more Canadian can you get than roll up the rim or Tim Hortons?" he said.

Ross spent two years in the Middle East as a UN force commander and said he used Tim Hortons products to make people feel at home.

"I did a lot of entertaining in my home (with my wife) in Damascus and guess what, we served Tim Hortons coffee, which was available to us to purchase through the Canadian contingent.

"Whether there's an actual Tim Hortons (store) or not, it does allow us to identify with home."


http://www.nationalmssociety.org/NYR.../timhorton.jpg

nice.... that's why i left the army... couldn't go overseas and not have my tims

I can't stress highly enough the importance of things like this. "A taste of home" in a war zone can save lives.

For as long as he lived, my father talked about the Bob Hope show he saw in Vietnam. It meant the world to him - a bit of home coming to *them.* His admiration for Ann Margaret was *fierce* because she "ran for the bunker just like everybody else." That show, like all of Mr. Hope's shows, kept the men going.

Having lived through what is euphemistically called "the Vietnam era," I vividly remember the lack of respect and downright torture given the troops by the American people. (I don't know how the civilians of the many, many other countries treated their troops. The US was by no means the only country involved in that war. As always, our British, Canadian and Australian cousins were right with us. I can only speak to one of the great shames of American history - how we treated our Vietnam vets.) For once, the world seems to have learned from its mistakes and the troops fighting this war - just or not; legal or not; agree with it or not - are receiving the treatment they deserve. Honor and respect.

When is a cup of coffee not a cup of coffee? When it can keep you sane in a war zone.

Morgan, I'm speechless.

Once again, you've shown me the depth of your understanding of some things, and your incredible way with words.

Thank you. You have returned the favor by rendering me speechless with your most gracious compliment. *huge hugs*

I totally agree....

wonder if the drive thru window can handle a tank

If it can't now...I'm sure the first time a tank driver really, really NEEDS his Tim Horton's...it will.... :)

My father was a "tank guy" in the Army. Once when my parents were newly married, he brought a tank home to show her. He actually drove the thing through the suburban streets of a very small town in Connecticut.

They requested that he not do that again.

Politely requested.

Dad was fun. :)

hahaha... I love it.
I remember being out on field operations in Germany years ago, and the pilots (I was in a helicopter squadron) would fly back to where we were location in the field with bags and bags of McDonalds for the ground crews.

I am still having a hard time accepting that TH is in New York State... although that don't have extra large coffees there for some reason.

Alex

PS for Morgan: THWAP!

ALEX!!!! http://www.porn-sex-adult-xxx.com/smilies/hearts.gif

THWAP!!!

I miss Tim Hortons. :(