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CAF personnel continued their unwavering commitment to supporting Canadians at home. CAF members provided medical support during the COVID-19 pandemic and flood and wildfire assistance to the citizens of British Columbia. Whether at home or abroad, the CAF is committed to supporting Canada.

1. Military health-care personnel are on site at a mobile health unit at Sunnybrook Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto, on Friday, April 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

2. CAF personnel sandbagging in Kelowna –  Sgt Lance – DND Canada

3. The 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry advance into an active fire zone in the vicinity of Oliver, British Columbia during Operation LENTUS, July 30, 2021. MS Dan Bard/Combat Camera

Many CAF members were on Christmas leave when they were recalled to support their fellow Canadians. CAF personnel quickly assembled across Canada and prepared to support their neighbours. When they were deployed to eastern Canada, service members were viewed as welcome support as many communities required a great deal of assistance with many not having power for several days.

The soldiers quickly got to work clearing roads for emergency vehicles, restoring telephone communication, removing debris, delivering badly needed supplies, assisting the local police, and visiting homes to identify at-risk individuals. Two soldiers even helped a dairy farmer milk his cows!

Over 14,000 Canadian troops participated in Operation RECUPERATION, making it the largest peacetime military deployment in Canada’s history.

Segments from Valour Canada

Left photo: A convoy from CFB Petawawa arrives in Ottawa to provide assistance during the state of emergency, January 9, 1998. (Credit: Sgt Marsha St-Dennis, DGPA/J5PA from the Canadian Armed Forces Imagery Gallery/ISC98-002-13)

Right photo: Canadian Armed Forces Twitter Account

Now imagine winter during conflict; Stalingrad, the Ardennes and Holland.

The winter of 1944-45 was a desperate time in Holland and came to be known as the “hunger winter”. What little food and medicine that remained had been largely commandeered by the occupying German forces. Many thousands suffered malnutrition and even death. Once again, Canadian troops provided relief and the bond of gratitude has lived on in the strong relationship between Canada and Holland.

One of those hungry Dutch citizens was a fifteen-year-old girl named Audrey Ruston, who survived her winter of privation in Arnhem. Despite lifelong ill-health from eating tulip bulbs and bread baked from grass, Audrey went on to become the award-winning actress and renowned humanitarian that we fondly remember as Audrey Hepburn.

Article provided by Sean McGrath, FCWM Volunteer and Member of the Board of Directors.

Mr. William Abbott, in memory of Russel Morey                                                          Col Angus Brown (Ret.), in memory of MGen P.A. Neatby                                              Ms. Mai-yu Chan, in memory of Gerald Cann, RCAF
Ms. Elaine Condos, in memory of Ken Tucker
Cdr Richard Duffield, in memory of LCol (Ret.) John Fox
Mr. David Emmerson, in memory of R.D.R. Emmerson
Ms. Brenda Esson, in memory of my husband Dr. D. Kenneth Tucker – RAF Squadron Leader (Ret.)
Ms. Julia Finn, in memory of my grandfather Owen Finn
Mr. Gordon Foster, in memory of Major Claire Donnelly
Mr. Frederick Gordon, in memory of Wilson Gordon
Maj Thomas Graham (Ret.), in memory of Col. Edward F. Conover, CD
Dr. Jack Granatstein, in memory of Alan Johnson
Cmdre Robert Hamilton (Ret.), in memory of Cpl Godfrey Hamilton, RRofC
Mr. Frederick Hayward, In honour of John Edmund and Mary Martin
Dr. Kenneth McBey, in memory of FLt Robert J. McBey, RAF
Ms. Marilyn Minnes, in memory of Clair Donnelly
Ms. Marilyn Minnes, in memory of Jarrot Holtzhauer
Ms. Marilyn Minnes, in memory of Gerry Bowen
Mr. George Piskor, in memory of David Kenneth Tucker
Ms. Patricia Pollak, in memory of Maj. Fred Pollak
Capt (N) William Reed (Ret.), in memory of Jerry Holtzhauer
Mr. Douglas Rowland, in memory of Jarrott Holtzhauer
Mr. Douglas Rowland, in memory of Ken Tucker
Mr. Douglas Rowland, in memory of Barry Turner

“John Easson, Mr Wednesday to the other volunteers, was a silent force behind the success of the Book Room – he was always the first to volunteer for tasks, created and maintained a close relationship with the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library; and, was a familiar, knowledgeable and helpful face in the Book Room. His devotion went beyond his regular day of manning the till, to picking up book donations and dipping into his own pocket to cover unexpected expenses. His wry sense of humour, professionalism and sense of duty will be sorely missed. Thank you, John, for your years of service to the Friends and Book Room. We will certainly miss you.”

John will be greatly missed by all of us. He was a true gentleman and an excellent ambassador for the Friends.