Museum volunteer Janet Curley keeps on running

CFB Esquimalt, 
Naval & Military Museum

—

Janet Curley, CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum volunteer, has given a long-running commitment and contribution to the museum over the past decade, fuelled by the same energy and staying power that characterize her career as a recreational runner for community charities.

Janet’s late husband, Lou, was in the Canadian Forces Air Command, motivating her to become a major booster of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). She has also maintained her CAF connection by running the CFB Esquimalt 5K and the Royal Canadian Air Force Half Marathon in Winnipeg, Man.

She said she enjoys volunteering at the museum partly because it brings back happy memories of when her husband was in the CAF.

Even though she has decided to ease back on her volunteerism in the museum visitor centre, Janet is always willing to lend a hand for museum and Base special events.

While assisting the museum with its displays and outreach for the Defence on the Dock event at Ship’s Point on Sept. 17, Janet Curley was recognized for her enthusiastic support for the museum and the CAF. Captain (Navy) J. Jeffrey Hutchison presented her with his Commander’s Coin and a citation thanking her for her ‘exceptional service to Canada through the promotion and education of Canadian naval and military history’.

For Janet, receiving the Base Commander’s recognition was a ‘very moving experience’.

A member of the CEEVACS Roadrunners group in the Cowichan Valley, Janet began working with the museum’s volunteer group after being encouraged to join by another volunteer. Her ability to engage with visitors, her warmth and friendliness have been great assets to the museum. She always went the extra distance in answering their enquiries. In the same way, she goes the extra mile when running marathons and half marathons for charitable causes supported by CEEVACS. Going the distance was also a literal part of her commitment to the museum because she regularly commuted from her home in Mill Bay to cover her shift.

We would like to wish her well in all her future endeavours, and say a heartfelt ‘keep on running’.

To learn more about volunteering with the museum, please get in touch with Curator Tatiana Robinson at Tatiana.Robinson@forces.gc.ca.

To discover more about Canada’s military history, visit the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum, open Mon-Sun from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The Museum is situated inside the Naden Gate, and visitors must present a government-issued photo ID before entering. Once inside the gate, the blue arrows on the road will guide you to the Museum. To learn more, visit, navalandmilitarymuseum.org