Since Bradley Anderson joined the Canadian Forces in 2006, he has been based in Edmonton, St. Jean, Quebec, Gagetown, New Brunswick, Wainwright, Alberta and Shilo, Manitoba. But three years later, Jasper’s Private Bradley Anderson is getting ready for the Whistler Olympics for Operation Podium, where he will be carrying his hometown flag.

The Jasper-born young soldier is currently based at the Canadian Forces Base Shilo in Manitoba as an infantry soldier and member of the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Come January, Anderson will be in a much different position, as his Battalion has been asked by the Canadian government to assist the RCMP with security at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Anderson moved to the United States with his mother in the 1980’s before returning to Jasper in 2000 and attending Jasper Jr/Sr High School. Now the 25-year-old will be carrying the Jasper flag throughout the duration of the Games, something that he says is a huge honour. While he won’t be a flag bearer at opening or closing ceremonies, Anderson says he will have it at all times.

“Carrying the Jasper flag is a huge honour. I have always been proud to call Jasper my home and it’s a place I hold very near and dear to my heart,” he said.

“I was pretty excited to learn that I would be heading to Whistler for the Games since it’s not something that happens very often. I feel very fortunate that I get the opportunity to be a part of something as special as the Olympic Games.”

Anderson will be one of about 4,500 Canadian soldiers on the ground for the Olympics that will assist the RCMP and local police. Anderson says they will help with any problems they may face during the Olympics, and their work can include venue security, security to Olympians and to the general public. He says he has many close friends that will be joining him, as he is not the only member of the second PPCLI Intelligence Section that will be at the Games.

Since leaving Jasper in 2006, Anderson doesn’t come home as much, but manages a couple of trips a year to see his friends and family.

“I do get the chance to come home for a few weeks during the summer and again at Christmas. I have a lot of family in town such as my father, Donald, also Smitty, Val, and Grandpa Bob. I also have a lot of great friends in town whom I speak with on a regular basis, (and) the Werbicki family…they have been a key part in my life.”

As a member of Task Force Whistler, Private Anderson will no doubt have Jasper in mind as he holds the town’s flag close to him during his time in Whistler, just as many Jasperites will have him in mind while they watch the Games on TV from their living rooms.