Remembrance Day

Tribute through remembrance

Kiwanis paid tribute to Remembrance Day at our Thursday, November 10^th meeting by inviting guests and family members, and having someone come in to speak to the group. We were fortunate enough to hear from Linda Learn, Silver Cross mother of Pte. Mark Anthony Graham who was killed by ‘friendly fire’ on September 4, 2006 in Panjwaii, Afghanistan.

Mark died while participating in Operation Medusa during the NATO mission in Afghanistan. Mark grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, and had been stationed at CFB Petawawa. He attended the University of Nebraska and later Kent State in Ohio on track-and-field scholarships, before becoming an Olympic athlete. In 2008, Linda and husband Albert traveled to Kandahar to learn more about the situation in which Mark had lived. They were awe struck by the support and care they received during that visit as well as on the return flight home. Linda said that only veterans and their families can understand the connection that holds them together. We hope that everyone takes the time today to remember those who were lost to us.