By Jeremiah Hemens, Army Public Affairs
May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada, a time to reflect on and celebrate the contributions that Canadians of Asian heritage continue to make to the growth and prosperity of Canada.
Vancouver, British Columbia — Sergeant Amelia Chia's experience at the Soldier for a Day program showed her the diversity within Canada's military and helped her become a proud member of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
Early life and heritage
Born in Singapore in 1987, Sgt Chia is a proud Chinese-Canadian who currently works as a public school teacher at Ecolé Riverdale Elementary in Surrey, British Columbia. She has also been a member of the Army Reserve for the past 14 years, currently working part-time as a Supply Technician with 39 Signal Regiment, while pursuing a Master of Education.
“I chose the Supply trade when I was 17, knowing I would become a teacher and intentionally chose a military occupation that is transferable across elements – known as a ‘purple trade',” she explained. “If I needed to move anywhere, I could easily pick up and go while continuing those careers. I figured logistics in the civilian world could be my backup if teaching didn't work out.”
She said she learned a lot from Chinese school on Saturdays when she was younger. “My parents are not terribly traditional. They raised us in more of a church culture than a Chinese culture. We celebrated some Chinese holidays, but not to the degree that our family…
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