Vicki L MorrisonThe Canadian Armed Forces had one over-arching objective when it committed to Joint Task Force Afghanistan, to eventually leave Afghanistan better governed, more peaceful and more secure.
Afghanistan: A Canadian Story is a compilation of the human stories and photographs of soldiers, sailors, airmen and women who deployed with the Canadian Afghanistan Combat Mission 2002-14. The book designed as a commemorative album, provided military members the opportunity to create a legacy for the CAF, friends and families of the fallen, the Canadian public and schools.
The project was initiated by a group of still serving and retired members of the CAF, Lt(N) ret’d Melanie Graham, Captain Susan Magill, and Colonel ret’d Andrew Nellestyn. These coordinators worked in partnership with the Edmonton Military Family Resource Centre. Their intention was to produce a legacy album that chronicled the human face of the twelve-year mission. To that end they assembled a volunteer publication team under Canadian publisher, John McQuarrie. The book was sponsored by the Power Workers’ Union.
“The wonderful men and women you’ll meet in these pages of Afghanistan: A Canadian Story worked tirelessly to make this happen. This is their story to tell,” said Lt(N) ret’d Melanie Graham, project coordinator.
Following along with Canada’s engagement in Afghanistan the hard-cover, 272 page book is organized in chapters by year and operation. It includes stories, reflections and images produced by CAF members and CAF agencies such as Army News and Combat Camera. Contributions from journalists who embedded with the mission were also incorporated.
Net proceeds from book sales will go to the Edmonton MFRC, to be shared with such Support Our Troops projects as Boomers Legacy, Military Families Fund, Soldier On Fund and Operation Dignity, St. Anne de Bellevue Veterans Hospital Foundation.
“Canadians have a historical tendency to forget their military when the crisis is past. Canadian soldiers are ordinary people doing an extraordinary job for Canada. Trying to get them to tell their story, from a boots on the ground perspective, was difficult but worth it. Now their work will not be forgotten,” said Graham.
The official launch of Afghanistan: A Canadian Story will be held November 3, 2014 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Cartier Square Drill Hall, 2 Elizabeth Drive Ottawa. Guest speaker will be LGen Jonathan Vance, Commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command. There will be a second launch in Edmonton on November 17, 2014 hosted by the Edmonton Military Family Resource Centre.
Please visit or https://www.familyforce.ca for further details.
