Fallen Soldier is Returning Home

May 28, 2007
Our fallen soldier, Corporal Matthew McCully, a member of 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron (2 CMBG HQ & Sig Sqn), based in Petawawa, Ontario, is scheduled to return home to Canada today.
Where: 8 Wing Trenton, Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario.
When: Monday, May 28, 7:30 p.m.
Present to pay their respects will be The Minister of National Defence, Gordon O'Connor, and other dignitaries.

Bless him on his journey home.

A further note: In Northumberland County, there will be people standing on bridges over Highway 401 at Colborne, Grafton, Cobourg and Port Hope to mark the passing of the hearse and escort vehicles.

9:01 pm

Canadian Soldier, Cpl. Matthew McCully was returned to Canadian soil to his family today at CFB Trenton during a repatriation ceremony.
A CC-130 Hercules aircraft carrying his remains touched down at the base just before 7:30 p.m.
The final note of the piper's skirl hung heavily in the still night air as eight Canadian soldiers carried the flag-draped casket of Cpl. Matthew McCully across the tarmac at this eastern Ontario military base.
Governor General Michaelle Jean, Cief of Defence Staff Rick Hillier and Defence minister Gordon O’Connor joined military officials and grieving relatives on the tarmac as McCully’s casket was carried from the aircraft by fellow soldiers. Just metres away, McCully’s mother, Valerie McGrady, locked arms with her daughter, Shannon, and her partner, Neil Weise. McCully’s younger brother, Daniel, stood beside them—solemnly staring into the open hearse. McCully’s father, Ron, wearing a white cowboy hat and dark sunglasses, clutched red and white roses. His wife, Michelle, hugged his left arm as his son’s casket was lowered into the hearse for the last leg of its journey home. McGrady knelt on the ground after placing a single red rose on her son’s coffin before military officials guided the family into three waiting black limousines. The limousines drove slowly from the tarmac—passing one large and half-a-dozen small Canadian flags placed on the base’s barbed-wire fence by Bob and Demetra Belear of Belleville, Ont.
Bob Belear said he and his wife have been to almost every repatriation ceremony at CFB Trenton, and he said they always hang the flags on the fence out of respect for the soldiers. “The flag is our country’s flag, and these men and women are serving our country,” he said. “When you see civilians on this side of the fence, it shows respect for the sacrifice they made.”

"Thank you Mr. & Mrs Belear" on behalf of military familes and friends.

"As well, thank you Mr. Don Cherry for your reflection during the hockey intermission in regards to Canada's fallen soldier- Cpl Matthew McCully."

Canadian Memorial Park Dedicated in Bosnia

Left to right, Major-General Stuart Beare, Commander Land Force Training Doctrine, Mr. Hamdija Lipovaca, Mayor of Bihac, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Canadian Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzigovina Mr. David Hutchings symbolically plant a maple tree in Bihac's newly dedicated Canadian Memorial Park. The park is dedicated to the many Canadian peacekeepers who have served in Bosnia-Herzegovina since 1992. Between 1992 and 2007, more than 40,000 Canadians served in the Balkan countries; twenty-three of them lost their lives there. Major-General Beare served in Bosnia for several years and was in command of the Canadian, British and Dutch Multi-National Brigade (North-West) September 2003 to September 2004.

May 5, 2007
Bosnian Park Dedicated To Canadian Forces

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(May 5, 2007) - In recognition of the significant contribution the Canadian Forces (CF) have made to help bring peace and security in the Bihac region of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Mayor of Bihac, Mr. Hamdija Lipovaca, announced the dedication of a local park, Canadian Memorial Park, during a ceremony held in Bihac earlier today.With this dedication, Canadian Memorial Park will serve as a permanent reminder of the sacrifices made by members of the CF, especially those who were wounded or killed while serving as part of peace-support operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Since 1992, more than 40,000 CF members have served in the Balkan region, of which 23 Canadians lost their lives in the service of peace."The men and women of the Canadian Forces have left a very positive impression of Canada upon the people of Bihac," said Mayor Lipovaca. "It is fitting then that this park dedication serve as a lasting memory of Canada's devotion to helping the people of Bihac return to a peaceful way of life," he added."Our soldiers, sailors and Air Force personnel have formed deep-rooted bonds of friendship with the people of Bihac they have had the privilege of meeting and working with over the past decade and a half," said Major-General Stuart Beare, who attended the ceremony as the senior Canadian military representative. "We in the Canadian Forces, as well as all Canadians, share a great sense of pride knowing vital infrastructure has been re-built and there is now burgeoning prosperity evident with busy shops, crowded cafes and bustling streets," he added.Canadian Memorial Park is located along the Una River, which runs through the town of Bihac. This specific site was chosen for its peaceful setting and popularity as a destination for both the local population and tourists.

Press Release - Military Families Fund

This is a press release that just came in from the National Defence Department. This is great news! My only question is: What does it fund? I know a lot of families who do not live on or near the defence bases and have felt like they were and/or are in left field (out of the loop). If you are in this category, please leave me a comment (you can remain annonymous if you wish, but just notate a city or town). eg. Did you go attend a midtour briefing? (many parents and spouses didn't even know there was one) Is there a CFPSA in your area?

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April 2, 2007

CFPSA: CDS Military Families Fund
OTTAWA, ONTARIO - - (April 2, 2007)

The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), General Rick Hillier, in recognition of the outpouring of support from Canadians, announced the creation of the CDS Military Families Fund today, adding a new vehicle to support military families."When our families call out for help, we must be able to answer that call immediately and substantially," said Gen. Hillier. "Our families have been here for us through our enrollment, our training, our deployments, and our homecomings. The military life places significant demands on our loved ones. They did not volunteer for service - but serve they do, and with great distinction. It is our turn to be there for our families."The CDS Military Families Fund will be an agile and responsive means to provide support to military families. Base Commanders, partnered with Military Family Resource Centres across the country, will be able to assist military families within hours of being advised of the need.The CDS Military Families Fund will grow through the contributions of private citizens and corporations. Contributions can be accepted by phone or mail, as well as through participation in upcoming fundraising events that will be announced later this year. For inquiries about this fund or to make a contribution, please call 1-877-445-6444.

The Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency (CFPSA) - the morale and welfare arm of the CF that provides programs and services for the well-being of the CF community - will administer the CDS Military Families Fund. Cheques or money orders should be made out to CFCF - CDS Military Families Fund.

The mailing address is as follows:

CDS Military Families Fund
c/o Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency
4210 Labelle Street ,
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K2

Please do not send cash.