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Topic: Private Mark Anthony Graham, 1st Bn, The Royal Canadian Regiment. (Read 1360 times)
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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Private Mark Anthony Graham died this morning in Afghanistan (Sept 4th, 2006) as a result of a freindly fire incident invoving US A-10 aircraft. In addition to being a Royal Canadian, Private Graham also represented the nation in the Olympics.... May Mark rest in peace.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Private was a world-class runner
Pte. Mark Anthony Graham competed for Canada as part of the 4x400-metre relay team in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics
OMAR EL AKKAD
From Tuesday's Globe and Mail
A world-class runner and former Olympian became the latest Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan when he was mistakenly hit by fire from an U.S. war plane on Monday.
“This is really sad news for his family and for the Olympic family as well,” said Tim Bethune, who used to train with and compete against Private Mark Anthony Graham, a former sprinter who competed for Canada as part of the 4x400-metre relay team in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
He described the soldier as a bright, determined hard worker.
“He was a very tough competitor. You had to be at your very best to beat him,” Mr. Bethune said.
“If anyone was not at their best, they'd suffer at the hands of Mark.”
The Jamaica-born athlete was based at CFB Petawawa, but grew up in Hamilton where he became a high-school track star. He went to the University of Nebraska on a track and field scholarship.
John Cannon, who was Pte. Graham's track coach during the early 1990s, described Pte. Graham as a formidable athlete plagued by a series of injuries.
“He also had a lot of problems with his hamstring but he had other problems that kept him from reaching his potential,” said Mr. Cannon, a track coach for the Calgary International Track Club. “I think he went to the military to ..... represent his country as opposed to being a runner and represent his country that way.”
Mr. Graham, who died at age 33, won two silver medals at 400-metre events during the 1993 and 1994 Canadian Track and Field Championships. He was also offered a scholarship at the Ohio State University in 1993, where he studied for a year. But he quit athletics in 1994 and never returned to the track, Mr. Cannon said.
Pte. Graham was the oldest of three brothers, one of whom has also joined the military. He leaves behind a young daughter. His family quietly gathered in their small Hamilton bungalow to mourn Monday and asked for privacy.
“They're in a fog and just weeping,” Rev. George Horton, of Hamilton's Stewart Memorial Church, told the Canadian Press. Mr. Graham's father has been a long-time parishioner and trustee at the church.
“They are still in shock.”
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
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This is from Mark's hometown paper the Hamilton Spectator.
Hamilton Soldier Killed by U.S. Fire
Photo: Department of National Defence
Mark Graham is the first Hamilton native to die fighting the Taliban. His family is 'just weeping.'
Mark Graham was a fabulous athlete for Sir Allan MacNab High School.
Mark Graham recalled as exceptional athlete
By Dana Borcea and Fred Vallance-Jones
The Hamilton Spectator
(Sep 5, 2006)
The harsh brutality of war came home to Hamilton yesterday when a former Olympic athlete from the west Mountain was killed by fire from a U.S. warplane in Afghanistan.
Private Mark Anthony Graham, 33, of the Royal Canadian Regiment, is the first Hamilton native to die in the war against Taliban insurgents. The U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt was one of two planes providing support to NATO troops in Operation Medussa.
Graham was remembered as an imposing and gifted athlete who quickly rose to become a national calibre runner.
His family gathered yesterday in their west Mountain bungalow to mourn his passing.
"They're in a fog and just weeping," said the Reverend George Horton of Stewart Memorial Church, where Graham's father has been a long-time parishioner and trustee. "They are still in shock."
Horton spent much of yesterday consoling the family, including Graham's mother Linda, a social worker, and father Albert, who works at Stelco.
Graham was the oldest of three brothers, one of whom has also now joined the military. He leaves a young daughter.
He was not married.
Yesterday, the family asked for privacy as they prepared for the glare of national publicity to come.
"Tonight we are just getting together as a family and figuring out what needs to be said," said an aunt, who asked not to be named.
Dan Clark was Graham's coach throughout his high school athletic career at Hamilton's Sir Allan MacNab high school.
Clark said he and many of Graham's friends, while aware he had joined the army a little over two years ago, did not know he was in Afghanistan.
"Most of us, and I have talked to a few of his friends and former students, they were surprised that he had gone over."
Clark remembers Graham as a natural athlete who impressed from the moment he arrived in Grade 9.
"He was put together, 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds and a completely developed individual when he came and we knew he was something special at that time."
By the time he graduated, he was well on his way to national-calibre competition.
"When he ran at track meets everybody paid attention, everyone would stop and watch him" Clark said.
"He was very personable but also very competitive," said his aunt.
"I think that attitude carried over into his military career."
Graham later went on to run with Canada's 4 x 400 relay team at the 1992 summer Olympics in Barcelona.
After the Olympics, he went to the University of Nebraska on a track and field scholarship, and later attended Kent State University in Ohio.
Injuries eventually sidelined his high-level athletic career, and he returned to Hamilton to help Clark coach at his old high school.
Clark said Graham decided to join the army, partly to learn new skills, such as with computers, and partly because he felt the disciplined life of the army would be good for him.
"What a treasure we've lost," said Horton after learning of the tragedy yesterday.
He said the congregation prayed often for Graham's safety.
Horton said that Graham had attended a special service in his honour at the John Street North church earlier in the summer before returning to his base in Petawawa.
He came in uniform. "I loved him like a son," he said. "Anyone who knew him would ... He was so handsome and stately."
Melissa Craig was one of Graham's many high school friends reeling from the news yesterday.
"He was a real motivator," Craig recalled about the man who took her to their graduation dance.
Yesterday's news was a stark reminder to military families of the awful dangers faced by their children, or brothers and sisters.
"We hear it and you know I guess you just start to pray," said Brian Pett of Caledonia, whose son is a reservist and has been in Afghanistan about a month.
Several days ago his son e-mailed and said he would be out of touch for as long as a couple of weeks.
He couldn't say where he was going.
The fact that Graham was killed by his own allies wasn't lost on Pett.
"If I were the parents, I would feel very very bad because it is one thing if you are killed by the enemy, but it is another thing if you are killed by the friends."
Tim Fletcher, public affairs officer with the 31 Canadian Brigade Group, which counts among its numbers 10 army reservists from Hamilton in Afghanistan, said the incident, while tragic, is part of war.
"In a circumstance like that (friendly fire) when you are working with allies you have a common mission, when you are engaged in close action and you are calling for close support, things like this are inevitable and have happened throughout history.
"You take every precaution, but it's war and things happen in war."
Fletcher said the Canadian forces are like a family, and everyone feels a tragedy such as this, but he added it doesn't weaken the resolve to continue Canada's mission.
"We are there for a purpose; we are not going to waver from that purpose, but it is still tragic."
Ten Hamilton-area army reservists are serving in Afghanistan, as well as many more regular soldiers from the area.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
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Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada on the death of Private Mark Anthony Graham
OTTAWA, Sept. 5 /CNW Telbec/ - "The circumstances surrounding the death
of Private Mark Anthony Graham of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Canadian
Regiment and the injuries sustained by a number of his comrades in Southern
Afghanistan are tragic. My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I are deeply
saddened by this turn of events. These are trying times for all of the
families concerned, as well as for all the Canadian Forces military personnel
stationed there. Our women and men are giving their all, convinced as they are
of the importance of their mission in Afghanistan. On behalf of all Canadians,
we would like to express our full support and let them know that our thoughts
are with them at all times, day in and day out, as they persevere in the face
of such challenging circumstances."
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
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Statement by the Minister of National Defence on the death of Private Mark Anthony Graham
NR-06.056 - September 5, 2006
OTTAWA – The Honourable Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement today on the death of Private Mark Anthony Graham, a member of 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Petawawa, Ontario:
“I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Private Mark Anthony Graham, who died while fighting in an ongoing offensive operation in Afghanistan.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Private Mark Anthony Graham, and with his comrades who remain steadfast in Afghanistan in this ongoing operation to help the local population reclaim their homes and be free from the grip of the Taliban.
Our mission in Afghanistan will continue to have risks, but we stand firm behind our serving men and women who are helping to bring shades of hope to a country that has known much despair and instability.
Private Graham made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of his country, and like all Canadians I am deeply grateful for that service.”
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
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1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
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Track community remembers Graham for his intimidating size and immense talent
5, 2006 - 3:44 pm
By: LORI EWING
TORONTO (CP) - At six foot four and packing a rock-hard physique, Mark Graham cast an imposing shadow when he stepped onto the track.
But Olympic teammates who knew Graham best say the sprinter had a smile that matched his massive frame, and his intimidating physical stature belied an easygoing demeanour.
Graham, who grew up in Hamilton, joined the military after his track career and was based at CFB Petawawa. A private, Graham was killed and more than 30 others wounded Monday in Afghanistan as two U.S. aircraft accidentally opened fire on Canadians during a strafing run. He was 33.
"He was a really intimidating figure, but he was also so giving with his smile," Olympic teammate Byron Goodwin said from Winnipeg. "You would see this giant, and you would think, oh my God, he's going to tear me apart. But then he flashed his smile and it would totally put you at ease."
Graham was a member of Canada's 4x400-metre relay team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, where he, Goodwin, Mark Jackson, Freddie Williams and Anthony Wilson finished 13th.
Graham also won a silver medal at the 1993 and 1994 Canadian championships.
"He was a great competitor and you knew if you were going to beat him you had to be on that day," said Goodwin, who beat Graham at the '94 national championships. "I certainly got handed my share of losses by him."
Canada's track community was shocked and saddened as news spread of his death Tuesday.
Many recalled an athlete who was loaded with talent - his personal best time of 46.16 seconds he ran while still a junior ranks him 19th on Canada's all-time senior list in the 400. But he was plagued by injuries, which eventually cut short his promising career in 1994.
"Many of us are going back and looking at our scrapbooks right now and thinking of all the good times we had with him," said Peter Ogilvie, who ran on Canada's 4x100 team in Barcelona, and is now the executive director of Athletics Alberta. "It's truly a sad story, he's a hero not only for the Canadian forces, but the athletics community will be in mourning for quite a while as well."
Canadian distance veteran Kevin Sullivan grew up 20 minutes down the road from Graham in Brantford, Ont., and got to know the sprinter when the two were budding Ontario high school stars. They went on to represent Canada on several national teams together including the 1993 world indoor championships and 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria.
"He was this massive human being, if you wanted a perfect physical specimen as an athlete, he's the guy you would point at," Sullivan said from Amsterdam, where he's training for the upcoming IAAF World Cup. "But despite what some people would think of as an intimidating presence, he was a really down-to-earth, kind person, got along well with everybody. Everybody genuinely liked him and got along well with him."
Graham Hood ran the 1,500 for Canada at the Barcelona Olympics, but growing up in Burlington, Ont., had the misfortune of racing against Graham in high school relays.
"He kicked my butt pretty soundly, I remember him flying by me in the relay," Hood said, laughing. "He was a very talented athlete, I remember being extremely intimidated by him as a small kid in high school. He was quite a physical specimen, just a massive towering guy with a ton of ability."
John Cannon was Canada's relays coach at the Barcelona Olympics and went on to coach Graham in Calgary for a year after Barcelona. In an event where you seldom see a runner over six feet tall, let alone packing the football physique that Graham did, his size alone, remembers Cannon, drew widespread attention.
In an interview from Calgary, Cannon remembers the first day of training in Barcelona. Graham was jogging shirtless under the scorching 35 C sun, and Cannon was standing looking on with John Smith, who at that time was the coach at USC and is still well known in international track.
"John said to me, 'I'll give that guy a full scholarship.' I said, 'You don't even know what he runs.' And he said, 'I don't care. With a body and physique like that, he can run whatever he wants,"' Cannon recalled laughing.
Glenroy Gilbert ran on the 4x100 team in Barcelona, and went on to win Olympic gold as part of the famous 4x100 at the Atlanta Games four years later. Gilbert said Graham's talents weren't just on the track. He remembered Graham blowing away his teammates with his performance at "rookie night" in Barcelona.
"He could also sing, he had an amazing singing voice," said Gilbert, who's now the relays coach for Athletics Canada.
Following the 1992 Olympics, Graham attended the University of Nebraska on a track and field scholarship before continuing his collegiate career at Kent State University in Ohio.
The Canadian Olympic Committee praised Graham as "a courageous patriot and an outstanding athlete."
"We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Mark Graham," COC president Michael Chambers said in a statement. "As an Olympian and as a private in the military, Mark dedicated his life to representing Canada.
"He will forever be remembered as a courageous patriot and an outstanding athlete. He will be dearly missed."
"Mark Graham was a man of great character who was an excellent role model during his athletic career," Jackson said in a statement. "While this is an extremely difficult time for his family and friends, we can take comfort in knowing that Mark took great pride in serving his country and that he died doing what he felt was right. We are all deeply proud of him and all that he accomplished."
Graham was the oldest of three brothers, one of whom has also joined the military.
He leaves a young daughter. He was not married.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
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News : Campus
Readers respond to former Nebraska track star's death
Mark Graham killed by friendly U.S. fire
Former Nebraska track standout Mark Graham died after two American aircraft mistakenly fired on his Canadian platoon in Afghanistan. Photo: Canadian Armed Forces
by NewsNetNebraska
September 09, 2006
NewsNetNebraska readers have responded to the death of Mark Graham, a former Nebraska track star, who died this month in Afghanistan while serving with the Canadian military. He was 33.
Graham was killed when two U.S. warplanes mistakenly fired on his platoon during an anti-Taliban operation in Kandahar province after ground troops requested air support, NATO said in a statement. Five other soldiers were seriously injured.
Graham arrived at Nebraska sporting world-class credentials. he was a member of Canada’s 4x400-meter relay team that competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. Photo: NU Media Relations
From Aurora Illinois, Marwin Kline wrote: "While a student/athlete at the University of Tennessee I must say that I competed against Mark Graham several times while he ran for Univ. of Nebraska. After each 400 meter race he always showed true class to fellow competitors by shaking hands of guys he had just defeated(including myself). He was very sincere at the end of each race and this is what made me respect him so much."
Private Dave Partridge, Sgt. Chad Garton and Private Chris Brooks wait for orders in Panjwaii, Afghanistan, yesterday after hearing that Mark Graham died in a friendly fire incident. Photo: Les Perreaux, The Canadian Press
Another former Nebraska athlete, who wanted to remain anonymous wrote: "Mark was a world class athlete and a world class friend. Being a military member myself I am deeply saddened by the loss. I have great memories running at Nebraska with Mark and will always remember him in that way. Mark was a true friend and dedicated competitor."
“Mark was a great person and probably one of the most gifted student-athletes we have ever had here at Nebraska,” Husker Head Coach Gary Pepin said this week. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”
A native of Jamaica, Graham grew up in Hamilton, Ontario. He was a member of Canada's 1,600-meter relay team at the 1992 Summer Olympics, before coming to Nebraska in 1994.
At Nebraska, Graham won the Big Eight indoor title in the 400 and added an outdoor conference crown in the 1,600-meter relay. Graham followed former Nebraska assistant coach Steve Rainbolt to Kent State after the 1995 season.
Graham was the oldest of three brothers. He had one daughter.
In his hometown of Hamiliton, Ontario, Graham was remembered as an imposing and gifted athlete who quickly rose to become a national calibre runner. At six foot four and packing a rock-hard physique, Mark Graham cast an imposing shadow when he stepped onto the track.
But Olympic teammates who knew Graham best say the sprinter had a smile that matched his massive frame, and his intimidating physical stature belied an easygoing demeanour.
"He was a really intimidating figure, but he was also so giving with his smile," Olympic teammate Byron Goodwin said from Winnipeg. "You would see this giant, and you would think, oh my God, he's going to tear me apart. But then he flashed his smile and it would totally put you at ease."'
Graham also won a silver medal at the 1993 and 1994 Canadian championships.
He was a great competitor and you knew if you were going to beat him you had to be on that day," said Goodwin, who beat Graham at the '94 national championships. "I certainly got handed my share of losses by him."
Canada's track community was shocked and saddened as news spread of his death this week.
Many recalled an athlete who was loaded with talent - his personal best time of 46.16 seconds he ran while still a junior ranks him 19th on Canada's all-time senior list in the 400. But he was plagued by injuries, which eventually cut short his promising career in 1994.
"Many of us are going back and looking at our scrapbooks right now and thinking of all the good times we had with him," said Peter Ogilvie, who ran on Canada's 4x100 team in Barcelona, and is now the executive director of Athletics Alberta. "It's truly a sad story, he's a hero not only for the Canadian forces, but the athletics community will be in mourning for quite a while as well."
The Canadian Olympic Committee praised Graham as "a courageous patriot and an outstanding athlete." "We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Mark Graham," COC president Michael Chambers said in a statement. ``As an Olympian and as a private in the military, Mark dedicated his life to representing Canada.
"He will forever be remembered as a courageous patriot and an outstanding athlete. He will be dearly missed."
One of our readers blamed the U.S. for being stupid and reckless in the "friendly fire" episode that took Graham's life. Mary from Toronto, Canada wrote: " Mark Graham was serving with the Canadian Armed Forces. Mark Graham was a Canadian hero and the tragic victim of the stupidity and recklessness of US forces who not only killed Mark Graham by accident but who also wounded thirty other Canadian soldiers by accident. We beg you, don't praise our war dead, just don't fire at us!"
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
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1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
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Have a thought for Mark tonight before lights out, lads.
Fallen soldier, former Olympian Graham remembered as great athlete
Canadian Press
Published: Wednesday, September 13, 2006
HAMILTON (CP) - A soldier killed when American troops accidentally strafed Canadian troops in Afghanistan is being remembered as a great athlete.
Hundreds of mourners, many in uniform, filed into the West Highland Baptist Church in Hamilton today under grey skies for the funeral of Pte. Mark Graham. The former Olympian died on Labour Day, one day after four soldiers were killed during a fierce battle with Taliban insurgents.
A high school classmate of Graham's says the track star was well-liked and respected.
John, who declined to give his last name, says the death has had a great impact on the community.
A funeral for Pte. William Cushley, one of the four killed on Sept. 3, was also held earlier today in Port Lambton, Ont., near Sarnia.
Graham competed for Canada on the 4x400-metre relay team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Last Friday, more than 2,000 people packed into the drill hall at CFB Petawawa for a memorial for the five soldiers.
Canada has about 2,200 troops in Afghanistan, most of them based in Kandahar.
Thirty-two Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002.
© The Canadian Press 2006
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
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1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
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Poppies bear witness to grief
Mark Graham
By Susan Clairmont
The Hamilton Spectator
More articles by this columnist
(Sep 14, 2006)
Red splashes in a sea of dark grief. The crimson and white of crisp Canadian flags. Two standing tall and still. Another, smoothly draped over the coffin of Private Mark Anthony Graham.
A spray of scarlet roses at the front of a church swollen by more than 1,000 black-clad mourners.
The dress uniform of a Mountie, standing on a balcony high above the soldier's body, trumpeting the long, clear notes of the Last Post.
The young daughter. A seven-year-old beauty in a dress the colour of cherries.
A red handkerchief in the pocket of a man who sings.
And the poppies.
Pinned to the uniforms of veterans. Dozens of them. The red petals. The black centres.
In a wreath on his casket. Intertwined with maple leaves.
For many of us, the poppies represent unnamed soldiers who died a long time ago. Some place far away. In wars we never knew. Each November, when poppies blossom on lapels across our country, we are reminded of our history. Our past.
But this is September. And just 11 days ago, Pte. Graham was alive, strong and serving his country in Afghanistan. He is not someone from a textbook or a name on a monument or a story proudly passed on to grandchildren.
He is -- was -- a 33-year-old Hamilton son killed by so-called friendly fire when American aircraft mistakenly opened fire on our troops during a strafing run.
He is the first soldier from our city to be killed in active service since the Korean War.
So yesterday, at a memorial service at West Highland Baptist Church, the poppies took on a currency they normally don't hold. This was our Remembrance Day. And the memory is still warm.
It was warm in the photos that showed Mark, the boy, in his scout uniform. Or asleep on the carpet in front of the Christmas tree. Or Mark, the teen, his seemingly invincible body -- all muscle and power -- breaking through finish lines as he won track meet after track meet.
It was warm in the anecdotes of friends and the tears of strangers. And in the pain on the faces of his family.
One old running friend sent a message: "I watched the war on CNN. And until now, it was images on television."
When Pte. Graham's body came home, so, too, did the war. "His death due to friendly fire will test your faith and understanding to the limits," Captain Greg Bailey said to those gathered. "Ask for peace and forgiveness for those who are responsible for Mark's death. Like you, they will need it."
Pte. Graham will be buried at the National Military Cemetery in Ottawa. If he had been buried here yesterday, the veterans would have removed the poppies from their lapels and placed them on his coffin. That is the ritual.
One veteran said: "We would have covered that young man's coffin with poppies."
The story goes that there were few poppies in Flanders, France, until the meadows there turned into battlefields during the First World War. After the soil turned red with soldiers' blood and the bodies were buried, the fields grew thick with poppies. The phenomenon was recorded by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian medical officer from Guelph, who penned the famous poem In Flanders Fields.
"We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields."
Susan Clairmont's commentary appears regularly in The Spectator. sclairmont@the-spec.com or 905-526-3539.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
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Ghalsey
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Thank's Mike appreciate the efforts to keep these updated
Rest in Peace
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Geoff Halsey
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Geoff Halsey
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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It is the least I can do considering the circumstances. Once the lads get back, I'm hoping they will add their own perspective to these threads so we, as the brotherhood of Royal Canadians, might know those who have died. I know it sounds kind of melodramatic but I really believe that there will come a time when those who knew the valliant will find comfort in our salutations.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Ghalsey
Veteran 500+ Member
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Pro Patria
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Mike
No Melodrama at all
I too believe that comfort comes from the words of others in the form of support and recognition.
This is a challenging time for the Troops the scale of which I have not seen in my life time.
There are some Veterans of WW2 and Korea here that can relate to this, and the fact that this forum
gives them the ability to speak on these things is a wonderful thing.
again Great Job
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Geoff Halsey
1 RCR 1981 - 1991
Fin 831 - 1991 - 1996
CD, UN Cyprus
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Gentlemen, I have just found a site wherrein, as we did with Will, (Pte Cushing) post our thoughts for his family and the world to see. Please do so at your earliest convenience....
http://www.legacy.com/can-ottawa/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=19131931
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Thanks for the info Mike, am sure all appreciate your efforts in getting it on here, good work brother for your brothers, ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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Posts: 3376
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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thanks, buddy. I often think of the guys who died when I was serving and how hard it was to leave a message for the loved ones.... now all you guys who have not left a message, get off yer arses and do the right thing.... 
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