Honouring Military Sacrifice and Achievement at Home and Abroad

November 7th, 2007

Two separate events took place in Ottawa in the days leading up to this Remembrance Day. One to recognize the sacrifices made by the spouses and children of Canadian soldiers serving overseas. The other to support the people and foster the freedoms for which our veterans and soldiers have fought for generations.

Last Saturday evening, I was privileged to join Chief of Defence Staff, General Rick Hiller, at “Families First … A Night to Remember”, a sold-out gala at the Canadian War Museum. The evening was organized by General Hiller with proceeds going towards the charity he founded, the Military Families Fund (MFF).

In response to the outpouring of support from Canadians, corporations and other organizations, General Hillier created the fund last April as a means to assist military families encountering unforeseen financial crisis while a parent is serving overseas. The MFF complements existing programs for families faced with extraordinary situations directly linked to the unique military lifestyle.

General Hillier recalls an example when his young son was hospitalized while he was on a seven-month overseas mission. Money was very tight, his wife was juggling a job and the 135 km drive between CFB Petawawa and the hospital. With the General 8,000 km away and her nearest family 1,800 km away, her car broke down.

Highlights of the evening included being piped-in as part of the head table, and the recollections of the Master of Ceremonies Rick Mercer about the trip we shared with General Hillier to Afghanistan last Christmas. Mr. Mercer recounted the shock of waking up to me handing him a coffee and realizing that never in his wildest dreams (or nightmares) did he imagine spending Christmas morning with three Conservative MPs in a tent in Afghanistan!

Canadians had already donated more than $600,000 to the MFF and the gala raised thousands of dollars more. The money has recently been used for some travel expenses associated with a soldier’s death. While the military covers the flights for certain family members, the MFF may help pay to fly grandparents, for example, to the funeral of a soldier who has died serving in Afghanistan.

It was the other recent event in Ottawa that demonstrated Canadians’ desire to ensure that the achievements for which our veterans and soldiers sacrificed so much are celebrated and sustained.

Under the security and support provided by Canada’s military presence in Afghanistan, Afghan women have resurrected the ancient art of weaving in order to provide for themselves and their children.

My wife, Leah, and I, together with Afghan Ambassador Omar Samad and his wife Khorshied, co-hosted a hugely successful sale of these talented women’s work at the National Arts Centre. Their scarves are hand-woven using pure silk from Herat, an ancient city in western Afghanistan.

At the event, 296 scarves at $80 each were sold and a total of $23,680 was raised. Every dollar will be returned to the weavers, providing them with critical financial support while promoting literacy among Afghan women and children.

Both events served to demonstrate the enduring Canadian spirit of people helping people both here at home and around the world.

For more information: www.militaryfamiliesfund.ca and www.artezandesigns.com.