Andrea Modesto, Administrative Assistant 
Written by Andrea Modesto, Lookout Newspaper

General Rick Hillier, Canada’s Chief of Defence Staff from 2005-2008, once said, “When a soldier steps on foreign soil in a high-risk environment, every single Canadian should be walking with him or her.” These words have always resonated deeply with me.

I’m Andrea Modesto, Administrative Assistant and Accounts for the Lookout Newspaper team and part of Personnel Support Programs (PSP), a division of the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS). I grew up in a small outport village in Newfoundland and Labrador watching family members ship off to serve our country. They included: my sister, Master Corporal (Ret’d) Victoria McDonald; my brother, Petty Officer First Class (PO1) Herbert McDonald; my brotherin-law, Sergeant (Ret’d) Christopher deBeaupre; my husband, Master Sailor (MS) Marc Modesto; and most recently, my nephew, Aviator Brock deBeaupre.

Over the years, they have each shown me firsthand, the dedication and sacrifices made by members of our Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). I have always wanted to serve Canada and walk alongside my family.

As such, I enlisted in the Royal Canadadian Navy (RCN) and met my husband Marc at Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School (CFLRS) Saint Jean. Though I was unable to complete basic training, Marc encouraged me to continue seeking a way to contribute to our nation. That journey brought us to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt, where I found a new way to serve — through CFMWS. In my role, I am so proud to support our writers, editors, and designers as they share the stories of those in uniform; highlight the many PSP programs available to members and their families; and assist with CAF events that strengthen our Defence community.

Though my path looks different than I once imagined, I am grateful to contribute in a way that allows me to give back to the people who dedicate their lives to guarding our freedoms. I have a quote tattooed on my forearm. It says:

“Sometimes you’ve got to fall before you fly.”

Failure or hardship is not an end — it’s a chance to learn from experience and grow. Thank you for allowing me the honour of walking alongside you as you march forward for us all.

Fun Facts

Q: What’s a surprising skill you have?

A: I’m not an expert by far, but I have entirely selftaught myself on how to read and write code! I’ve worked on everything from making tiny discord bots that teach you how to bake sourdough bread to helping friends with their business pages online.

Q: What’s your favourite CFB Esquimalt memory?

A: When my husband MS Modesto first got posted to Esquimalt from Halifax, it enabled me to reconnect with my older brother, PO1 McDonald, who had left in 2001 to join the RCN. He had proudly called CFB Esquimalt home ever since. Instead of living across the country from him, he now lives a street away.