31 Oct 2024 / , ,
memorial-cross

This edition of the Golden Oldies will pay tribute to the Silver Cross Mothers.

The National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother is chosen annually by the Royal Canadian Legion to represent the mothers of Canada at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on November 11. The Memorial Cross (more often referred to as the Silver Cross) is awarded to mothers and widows (next of kin) of Canadian soldiers who died on active duty or whose death was consequently attributed to such duty.

2023 – Gloria Hooper

 

Gloria Hooper lives in the small French town of St. Claude, Manitoba but was born and grew up on the family farm in Shell Valley. Gloria recalls a busy early life, especially as the oldest of four children. After her early years of school in nearby towns such as Inglis and Russell, Gloria went to work as a telephone operator in Dauphin, Manitoba with what was Manitoba Telecom Services at the time. She later took an interest in nursing and got her training Keewatin Community College. After graduating, she worked locally at St. Anthony’s General Hospital. She lost her son Private Chris Holopina on 4 July 1996, while on duty as part of Operation Alliance. He and his comrades were involved in a vehicle accident while on their way to help rescue a group of British soldiers stranded in a mine field. The Canadian armoured vehicle left the road to avoid an accident, but then careened down a ravine and rolled over, killing Chris. He was the first Canadian to give his life in Bosnia as part of that mission.

Private Chris Holopina Served in the 2 Combat Engineer Regiment of the Army and enlisted in January 1991, he was 22 years old when he died.  The Government of Manitoba honoured Holopina by naming a Lake after him in 2005.

2022 – Candy Greff

Candy Greff calls Lacombe, Alberta home, and has for many years. She was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and was raised mainly in the town of Radville where she later met her husband, Greg. As a Licensed Practical Nurse over 33 years, she received her certification in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and was immersed in a profession in which selflessness and a gregarious nature are virtues.  She lost her son Master Corporal Byron Greff, on 29 October 2011, who was riding inside an armoured NATO bus when a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-filled car which impacted the bus. He was the first Canadian soldier to die during that particular training mission, and the last Canadian soldier to lose his life in Afghanistan.

Byron was a member of the Third Battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) based in Edmonton, Alberta. He was a highly skilled soldier, also trained as a paratrooper and an integral part of the reconnaissance platoon. He died on October 29, 2011, while on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, having just returned to the country after a visit home to Alberta. He was serving as an advisor to Afghan military personnel when he died at the age of 28.

2021 – Josée Simard

Josée Simard grew up in Les Mechins, Quebec. Over the years, she has worked extensively in public-facing roles for a variety of organizations such as the Regroupement des Femmes de la région de Matane, helping families in need. She lost her daughter, Corporal Karine Blais, on 13 April 2009, when the armoured vehicle she was traveling in struck a roadside bomb near Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Corporal Blais was a member of 12e Régiment Blindé du Canada, CFB Valcartier.  Corporal Blais enlisted in February 2006 and died at the age of 21.

2020- Debra Sullivan

Debbie Sullivan grew up in the countryside near Saint John, New Brunswick. She had two energetic children and rewarding work as a crisis counsellor, a truck driver and service in the Canadian Army Reserve.  Debbie served in the Army Reserves from 1990-1994 working on administration, logistics, and recruiting. She lost her son, Lieutenant Chris Saunders, on October 6, 2004, while he served with the Navy.

Lieutenant (Navy) Christopher Edward Saunders was a Naval Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy, an enthusiastic submariner trained as a Combat Systems Engineer. Chris was killed during a tragic fire while serving aboard HMCS Chicoutimi. The submarine was underway from Scotland to Canada when the fire broke out on October 6, 2004. Chris graduated from Kennebecasis High School in Saint John with honours. He was part of the Army Reserves throughout those High School years when he received a full scholarship to military college. He attended Collège Militaire Royal de Saint Jean, in Quebec, in the Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP).  After his graduation from military college, Chris was stationed in Halifax, aboard CFB Stadacona, working as a Combat Systems Engineer. He also served on other naval ships during his career. He absolutely loved the military, which became his second family, and he shared many adventures with his mates over the years. Lt(N) Saunders enlisted in 1990, he was 32 when he died.

2019 – Reine Samson Dawe

 

Reine Dawe’s early life began in the small town of St-Prosper, just south of Quebec City. She later graduated from Laval University’s physiotherapy program and entered a profession she enjoyed immensely until her retirement in 2013. She lost her son, Captain Matthew Jonathan Dawe, on July 4, 2007, while he served in Afghanistan. She and her husband raised four active boys. The Dawe boys were involved in everything from sports to music, and all four went on to follow their father’s example by joining the military. Philip, James and Matthew graduated from The Royal Military College. The eldest, Peter, did not attend the College but later obtained two Master’s degrees from the same institution. Peter is now a Major-General and Commander of the Canadian Special Operations Forces. Philip is a trauma surgeon at the Vancouver General Hospital and a Major in charge of the Canadian Forces Trauma Centre in that city. James retired as a Captain in the PPCLI after serving five years, including a tour in Bosnia. He now lives in Kingston, Ontario, and is Vice President North Atlantic of an American workplace supply company. Matthew, the youngest, was posted to 3PPCLI and served in Afghanistan where he died performing his duties as a platoon Commander.

Captain Matt Dawe was born into a military family – his dad served 33 years in the army; He had three older brothers – all of whom joined the Canadian Forces prior to Matt. He graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in 2004 . He was both Cadet Wing Senior and captain of the varsity volleyball team in his final year. Prior to enrolling at RMC – he was a private in the Princess of Wales Own Regiment. On graduation weekend – he was married to Tara Christina (RMC 2003). Following RMC – he became a trained Infantry Officer. He was posted to the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton. While in Edmonton their son Lucas was born. He trained both within Canada and outside the country to qualify as a Platoon Commander. He died at the age of 27 while serving in Afghanistan during Operation Luger, an engagement he planned and named after his son Lucas. Captain Dawe was awarded the General Campaign Star, and the Sacrifice Medal (posthumous).

2018 – Anita Cenerini

 

Anita Cenerini spent much of her early life in Ontario’s northern and southern regions. She currently lives in Winnipeg with her husband Grant and their  son Jacob. She lost her son, Private Thomas Welch, on May 8, 2004, less than three months after returning from Afghanistan, Thomas died by suicide in Petawawa. Anita raised her late son Thomas and daughter Michelle with her first husband Daniel Welch. She was active in the Catholic Church, volunteering in the Children’s ministry and serving as the President of the Catholic Women’s Society. She also sat on the church board. Returning to London, Anita’s family grew with her new husband, Grant Palmer, and his two older sons Michael and Thomas Palmer. Their youngest son Jacob was born and Anita spent the next few years caring for her growing family. Her son Jacob recently enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserves with The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, under 3rd Canadian Division, 38 Canadian Brigade Group at Minto Armouries, in Winnipeg. Anita ran in the 2017 Army Run in Ottawa in memory of her son Thomas Welch, and in support of those who serve in the military.

Private Thomas Welch was a member of the Royal Canadian Regiment.  He enlisted in August 2001 and died at the age of 22.

2017 – Diana Abel

Diana Abel was born in Ottawa and later became an avid volunteer and entrepreneur in Western Canada. Having lived in several British Columbia towns and cities, she now resides in Brampton, Ontario. She lost her only son, Corporal Michael David Abel, on May 3, 1993, while serving in Belet Huen, Somalia, as part of Operation Deliverance. Her husband David C. Abel passed away in 2005 after they had raised their two children. David spent 12 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force. With her father, husband and son all having spent time in the Armed Forces, and her two grandsons who are current and past members of cadet squadrons, Mrs. Abel’s family has a significant history of military service.

Corporal Michael David Abel was a member of the Nations Task Force in Somalia. He enlisted in 1985 and died at the age of 27 from a gun mishap in Somalia.

2016-Colleen Fitzpatrick

 

Mrs. Colleen Fitzpatrick was born in New Westminster, British Columbia and raised in Vanderhoof. She lives in Prince George, with her sons, grandchildren and her husband Jim of 32 years.  She lost her middle son, Corporal Darren Fitzpatrick, when he stepped on an improvised explosive device while on patrol in the Zahari district, near Kandahar City on March 6, 2010.  Mrs. Fitzpatrick and Jim raised three sons Michael, Darren and Sean respectively. She has worked in Human Resources for 15 years and is currently the Director of Human Resources for AiMHi – Association for Community Living, an organization that provides advocacy, support and services to people who have special needs.  Her son Darren received significant blood transfusions upon arrival at Kandahar hospital. The incredible medical attention and blood donations received allowed him two additional weeks with his family before his passing. She has become an advocate for blood donation working closely with Canadian Blood Services to develop a promotional video and blood donation campaign called “Remember the Power of Giving” for which she received a national award.

Corporal Darren James Fitzpatrick was a member of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.  He was awarded the General Campaign Star – South-West-Asia (GCS-SWA) and the Sacrifice Medal (Posthumous).  Corporal Fitzpatrick enlisted in 2006 and died at the age of 21.

2015- Shelia Anderson

Mrs. Sheila Anderson lives in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. She is the first National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother from the Northwest Territories since the Legion began this tradition more than sixty years ago. She lost her eldest son, Corporal Jordan Anderson, when a roadside bomb killed six Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan, as well as an Afghan interpreter, in the Panjwaii district southwest of Kandahar City on July 4,2007. Mrs. Anderson (née Cossar) was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. She eventually moved to Ottawa where she worked in a treatment centre for emotionally disturbed adolescents (Ottawa Carleton Regional Residential Treatment Centre) before she got married in 1977 to a High School teacher named James Anderson. They moved to the Northwest Territories where they have spent the past 38 years. She currently works as the Manager, Territorial Courts with the Department of Justice, Government of the Northwest Territories. Her son, Corporal Anderson, was the oldest of four brothers, Benjamin, Mathew, and Samuel. She took a three-and-a-half year hiatus from her career in the government to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration (UNBC) and graduated in May 2015. This past year, she also combined her love of cycling to helping raise funds through the Boomer’s Legacy Ride from Comox to Victoria. Funds raised through this program are used to help Veterans with PTSD. Mrs. Anderson has always actively participated in Legion Remembrance Day ceremonies in Inuvik, Saskatoon, and Prince George. She has also laid wreaths for the fallen/unknown soldiers in Yellowknife. Her husband is also an ordinary member of Canada’s northern most Royal Canadian Legion in Inuvik.

Corporal Jordan Anderson, 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, was killed on 4 July 2007 along with 5 other CAF members (Captain Matthew Dawe 3PPCLI, Corporal Cole Bartsch 3PPCLI, Private Lane Watkins 3PPCLI, Captain Jefferson Francis 1 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, and Master Corporal Colin Bason The Royal Westminster Regiment) and one Afghan interpreter, when the vehicle they were traveling in struck an improvised explosive device, approximately 20km south-west of Kandahar City. Corporal Anderson was awarded the South-West Asia Service Medal – Afghanistan Bar (SWASM), General Campaign Star – SOUTH-WEST ASIA (GCS-SWA), and the Sacrifice Medal (Posthumous).  Corporal Anderson enlisted in 2000, and died at the age of 25.

2014 -Gisèle Michaud

 

Mrs. Gisèle Michaud, of Edmundston, New Brunswick, was the 2014 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother and the fifth mother from New Brunswick to be named by the Royal Canadian Legion. On June 23, 2009, her youngest son, Master Corporal Charles-Philippe Michaud, was mortally wounded after stepping on an improvised explosive device while on patrol in the Panjwayi District, southwest of Kandahar City, Afghanistan. He was transported to a Québec City hospital on June 28, 2009 and passed away on July 4 of that same year. Master Corporal Charles-Philippe has an older brother, Denis.  She has undertaken a number of activities to honour her son’s memory. She has hosted large delegations of soldiers from Master Corporal Michaud’s battalion in Edmundston on each anniversary of her son’s passing and on Remembrance Day. Mrs. Michaud, accompanied by her husband and her eldest son, travelled to Kandahar in November 2010.

Master Corporal Charles-Philippe Michaud was mortally wounded after stepping on an improvised explosive device while on patrol in the Panjwayi District, southwest of Kandahar City, Afghanistan on June 23, 2009. He was transported to a Québec City hospital on June 28, 2009 and passed away on July 4 of that same year. He was a member of the 2nd Battalion Royal 22e Régiment based out of Valcartier, Quebec. Born in 1981, he joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2000. He served in Bosnia in 2002, receiving the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal for Kosovo, and in Lithuania in 2003, receiving the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal. Master Corporal Michaud served two tours in Afghanistan. He first served in Kabul in 2004, receiving the General Campaign Star-International Security Assistance Force. Master Corporal Michaud arrived in Kandahar for his second tour of duty in April 2009.  Called Chuck by his friends, Master Corporal Michaud dreamed of being a soldier throughout his youth. He is remembered as a mentor to his fellow troops and a model soldier. He was an avid hockey player and loved playing guitar and the saxophone. He was 28 years old when he died, and the 122nd fallen soldier from Canada’s mission in Afghanistan.

2013 – Niki Psiharis

Mrs. Niki Psiharis, of Laval, was the 2013 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother and the sixth mother from Québec to be named by the Royal Canadian Legion. On June 20, 2007, her youngest son, Sergeant Chris Karigiannis, was killed when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle approximately 40 kilometers west of Kandahar City, Afghanistan—less than two months before his scheduled return home. Despite her terrible loss, Mrs. Psiharis has maintained a positive outlook and has been an exemplary citizen, committed to engaging youth in remembrance. Since 2009, Mrs. Psiharis has accompanied students, from her son’s former high school to the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa and is the driving force behind having these same students completing more than 100,000 volunteer hours in the community.

Sergeant Christos Karigiannis, of Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI) from CFB Edmonton was one of three Canadian soldiers killed when the vehicle they were traveling in struck an improvised explosive device on the main road, approximately 6 km west of Forward Operating Base Sperwan-Gar. The incident occurred at approximately 7:49 am on June 20, 2007 while the soldiers were conducting resupply operations between checkpoints. The Charlie Company, 3 PPCLI members are part of the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment (2 RCR) Battle Group of the Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF-Afg). Born in 1975, he graduated from Chomedey Polyvalent High School (now known as Laval Liberty High School) and earned a degree in Aircraft Maintenance from John Abbot College in Montréal. He was an enthusiastic member of the Air Cadets since the age of thirteen, and achieved the three highest awards that can be held by any Air Cadet: The top rank of WO-1 (CWO), the Lord Strathcona Medal, and having been selected for the Air Cadet Flying Scholarship. He joined the army in 1997, immediately after completing his college degree. He was also an avid recreational pilot, world traveler, and skydiver, and had the distinction of being selected as a member of Canada’s elite Skyhawks team while he was still only a Private in the army. Sergeant Karigiannis was awarded the Sacrifice Medal (Posthumous), and died at the age of 31.

2012 – Roxanne Marie Priede

Mrs. Roxanne Priede of Grand Forks, British Columbia, was the 2012 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother.  On May 30, 2007, her eldest child, Master Corporal Darrell Jason Priede, was killed in a helicopter crash while serving with the Land Force Atlantic Area Headquarters. Mrs. Priede, née Chartrand, attended Briarwood Vocational High School. While there, she met John Priede and the two were married on October 16, 1976. In 1979, the Priedes moved to Greenwood, British Columbia, where she chose a career as a stay-at-home mom for almost 15 years to raise their three children–Darrell, Denise and David–before accepting employment as a custodial contractor.

Master Corporal Darrell Jason Priede a military image technician serving with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Regional Command (South) headquartered at Kandahar Airfield, was killed when the Chinook helicopter he was a passenger in crashed in Kajaki, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on May 30, 2007.  In 1996, he joined the Canadian Armed Forces where he served as a gunner in the Royal Canadian Artillery and two tours in Bosnia. After his second tour, he transferred to the Air Force where he served as a photographer. He was killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan during Operation Athena a military offensive against the Taliban. He had been serving in Afghanistan a little more than one month before the helicopter crash. Master Corporal Priede is survived by his wife, Angela Dawn (Mitchell) Priede, with whom he had just marked his four-year anniversary (May 14, 2003) before his passing.  In honour of Master Corporal Priede, the Canadian Armed Forces have instituted the Master Corporal Darrell J. Priede Top Candidate Award for the seven-week Army News Course which began in the fall of 2007. He was 30 years old when he died, and the 56th Canadian soldier to be killed in Afghanistan.

2011 – Patty Braun

Mrs. Patricia Braun of Raymore, Saskatchewan was the 2011 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother. On August 22, 2006, her son, Corporal David Braun, a member of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based out of Shilo, Manitoba, was killed by a suicide bomber while on patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Mrs. Braun, originally of Semans, is a graduate of Margaret McClumb School and the University of Saskatchewan. She and her husband, Blaine, raised four children—David, Diana, Christopher and Michael. In 1994, she was widowed.

Corporal David Robert William Braun was killed by a suicide bomber in a vehicle attack in Kandahar City. The attack occurred at approximately 3:15 p.m. local time August 22, 2006. Corporal Braun was travelling in a Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV-3) as part of a Canadian re-supply convoy travelling in Kandahar City when the suicide bomber exploded his vehicle near the convoy. He was a member of the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based out of Shilo, Manitoba. Born in 1979, he graduated from Raymore School and worked at Westland Rec-Creation in Watson, Saskatchewan. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces in February 2002 and had one daughter. He was awarded the Sacrifice Medal, and died at the age of 27.

2010- Mabel Girouard

Mrs. Mabel Girouard, from Bathurst, New Brunswick, was the 2010 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother. On November 27, 2006, her son, Chief Warrant Officer Robert Michel Girouard, serving as the regimental sergeant major for the 1st Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, was killed by a suicide car bomber while on duty near Kandahar, Afghanistan. Mrs. Girouard was born in Bouctouche, New Brunswick, and attended Bouctouche High School. In August 1959, she married Vincent Girouard and they had three children, Pierre Joseph, Charles Vincent and Robert Michel.

Chief Warrant Officer Robert Girouard, Regimental Sergeant Major of 1st Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment (1 RCR) Battle Group, based out of Petawawa, Ontario, was killed on 27 November 2006, when a suicide bomber drove an explosive laden vehicle into a Canadian Convoy. The resulting explosion killed Chief Warrant Officer Robert Girouard and Corporal Albert Storm of 1 RCR. At the time of the incident the convoy was travelling along Hwy 4, toward Kandahar city on its way to Panjwayi. He left behind his wife of 26 years, Jacqueline, and three children, Robert Jr., Jocelyne and Michael.  He was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross, and the Sacrifice Medal posthumously. He was 46 years old and a 29-year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces when he died.

 

 

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