To the United States from Canada with love

By Annette P. Gomes, Warrior Care and TransitionMay 21, 2018

To the United States from Canada with love
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ARLINGTON, Va. - Identically dressed in red tee shirts, every Friday at 9:35 am, students at Longue Sault Public Elementary school in Long Sault, Ontario Canada prepare for the Special Operations Program. The three tier wellness program consists of activities geared towards developing a student's physical and emotional well-being, leadership skills and a growth mindset development. Fridays are dedicated to The Military Fallen Heroes Initiative which honors the 158 Fallen Canadian Soldiers from the war in Afghanistan.

"This is easily the most meaningful work of my career and the shift that I have seen with our students is truly remarkable," said Longue Sault Public Elementary School Principal, Kieran Kennedy.

Although the program is dedicated to Canada's fallen heroes, the 2017 Invictus Games held in Toronto shed light on the sacrifices of military personnel throughout the world. As a result, this year, the initiative was extended to include U.S. active duty Soldiers and veterans. Longue Sault has sent a dozen thank you letters to Soldiers at all 14 Warrior Transition Battalions in an effort to thank them for their sacrifice. Each Soldier replied to the student.

Kerri Tadeu, a volunteer with the 2017 Invictus Games and is the co-founder of SerViCe and SacriFice --Soldier, Veteran and Civilian -- an organization committed to the well-being of veterans.

"I was completely blown away by what I saw on the volleyball court, the swimming pool and the archery compound etc. and I wanted to find a way to incorporate the immense pride I felt for these wounded, ill and injured Soldiers and their sacrifice," Tedau said.

"This initiative has taught me the importance of educating our youth about the service and sacrifice of those who serve our country and give thanks for our freedom, for freedom is far from free, having the students send letters is the least I could do," said Tadeu.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Altermese Kendrick is one of several service men and women who received a letter.

"Their thoughts and prayers are certainly appreciated. My service to country is my life. It's good to know that it matters to so many people," said Kendrick.

During the Friday presentations, Kennedy and teacher Crystal Renaud, displays a slide show which loops a memorial display depicting "Portraits of Honours" prints by artist Dave Sopha and showcases pictures of the two fallen soldiers being featured that week. A magnetic sign at the front of the school displays the names of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice since 2002 and is updated each Friday with the names of the featured fallen Soldiers.

During morning recess, two students read the Soldiers' biographies and learn about their service, sacrifice and the families they left behind. The slide show depicts their lives, memorials or landmarks dedicated to them posthumously and personal pictures of them not related to their military careers. At the end of each session, all students observe a minute of silence in honour of the soldiers and their families.

Kennedy says it's a lesson that can't be found in a text book.

"I really believe these students will always remember this initiative and more importantly, many will assimilate these values into their personal lives throughout the duration of their lives while influencing others to do the same," said Kennedy.

Kennedy spearheaded the Featured Fallen Friday initiative after he began working with Tadeu and retired Master Corporal Collin Fitzgerald, co-founder of SerViCe and SacriFice. Fitzgerald is one of the first recipients of the Medal of Military Valour for his actions on May 24, 2006 during an enemy ambush in Afghanistan.

"We should always remember who matters and why they matter and never forget to pay our respect to all who gave some and some who gave all," said Fitzgerald.

Kennedy says it's a memory the Soldiers families will cherish for a lifetime.

"We try to connect with their parents to let them know that this initiative is happening at our school in memory of their son or daughter," Kennedy said. "This exercise helps ease the pain of their loss and show them that a group of youth representing the future is very committed to remembering and not just on Veterans Day," he continued.

In the end, second grader Ethan Fontaine summed up the history lesson best in his letter to U.S. Army Maj. Christina Truesdale.

"Thank you for your service, risking your life and giving us safety. You are loved."