I don't know Master Corporal Marcie Lane. I've never met her. But I think of her and her daughter, Olivia, often.
Like many, I was introduced to Marcie and her family through news stories by CTV Ottawa in September 2008. The news crew profiled Petawawa residents Marcie and her common law husband, Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli. The couple had just welcomed their daughter Olivia into the world. In fact, Marcie labour was induced a week early so Scott could meet and spend time with his baby girl before being deployed to Afghanistan later that month.
The images of the happy, smiling young couple holding their infant daughter have always stuck with me. Although I could relate to what they were going through because at the time darling daughter was about six weeks old, I couldn't comprehend what they were facing; he being sent to a war torn country while his baby daughter and wife stayed in Canada, waiting for his safe return. I know this is a reality for many military families and I have a great admiration for the sacrifices they make for this country.
Like many Canadians, my heart sunk when news broke in March that Scott died when an improvised explosive device exploded while he was on patrol in the Zhari district of Afghanistan. His friend and comrade, Cpl. Tyler Crooks, also died in the attack. My heart went out to his wife and his daughter. He'd never see his daughter grow up and Olivia would never know her father.
Marcie's strength constantly amazes me. Last night I watched a moving piece on her and her daughter on the CBC's The National. If you do have a moment, please watch it. (The piece is called Olivia's hero). Marcie, who is a military photographer, takes the portraits of military personal before they are deployed. These are the same photos are that handed out to the media when a solider is killed. Soldiers call them death photos. But Marcie has a different name for them. "I quickly correct them. It is now your hero portrait," she says.
Marcie says she clearly remembers when she realized Scott wouldn't be coming back to Petawawa safely. The doorbell rang at Friday, March 20 at 6:15 a.m. She sat up in bed and she instantly knew the news that was waiting for her behind her front door. "I said out loud, 'Olivia, daddy's gone.' "
When the news was confirmed, she realized what it meant for her daughter.
"I remember saying, 'No, I have a baby sleeping in her crib upstairs who will never know her dad."
In the days after her husband's death, I remember seeing footage of Marcie standing at attention, saluting her Scott's casket, while holding her daughter. She was so courageous and strong. She was later given Olivia's booties, the same booties she word home from the hospital. They were found in the secret pocket inside Scott's uniform.
Towards the end of the National segment I was crying. Like I said at the beginning of this post, I've never met Marcie and I never had the opportunity to meet her husband. But I just want her to know that Scott isn't only Olivia's hero. He, and all his comrades who have sacrificed their lives while serving in Afghanistan, are my heroes too. And I'm sure a lot of Canadians feel the same way I do.
Showing posts with label Afghanistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Afghanistan. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Misunderstood? I think not
No, Greg Gutfeld we didn’t misunderstood you. We heard you loud and clear.
According to Gutfeld, a commentator on Fox News, the Canadian public “misunderstood” his words when he and his panel ridiculed the Canadian Forces on his late night show, Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld, last week.
Gutfeld’s segment was in response to comments made by Lt.-Gen Andrew Leslie, Canada’s commander of land forces, who suggested that the military will need to take a year off to recover from the Afghan mission when its operations in the war torn country start to wind down in 2011. According to Gutfeld, the Canadian army will use the time to “do some yoga, paint some landscapes and run on the beach in gorgeous white Capri pants.”
Since the segment has hit the Internet earlier this week, backlash by the Canadian public has been immense. Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay calls what was said by Gutfeld and his posse crass and disgusting. Gutfeld, who was too gutless to speak to the Canadian media, issued an apology through Fox News. This is what Gutfeld had to say: “However, I realize that my words may have been misunderstood. It was not my intent to disrespect the brave men, women and families of the Canadian military, and for that I apologize.”
Gutfeld describes Red Eye as a “satirical take on the news, in which all topics are addressed in a lighthearted, humourous and ridiculous manner.”
I have watched the clip several times. Instead of discussing the Canadian military in a “lighthearted, humourous and ridiculous manner,” it was a bunch of ignorant yahoos talking trash about a subject that they failed to do their research on. One pundit, Doug Benson, didn’t realize that Canada was even in the war.
Canada has lost 116 soldiers and one diplomat since the war in Afghanistan started in 2002, including Master Corporal Scott Vernelli, who died while on foot patrol on March 20. The small community of Petawawa has lost 38 of its troops since 2003. Master Corporal Vernelli leaves behind his wife, and his six-month-old daughter, Olivia. I don’t think Vernelli’s comrades will be running on the beach in their gorgeous white Capri pants any time soon.
So the moral of the story is this: when you are going to satirize a serious subject, do your homework, know the facts and perform your shtick with people who are actually informed about the subject, not with those who believe Canada is a land of ice and snow, Mounties wear red jackets and ride horses while on patrol. Not only do you look boorish Gutfeld and Co., you also look like asses. Don't expect a true apology from this gutless goof and his band of ignorant imbeciles.
According to Gutfeld, a commentator on Fox News, the Canadian public “misunderstood” his words when he and his panel ridiculed the Canadian Forces on his late night show, Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld, last week.
Gutfeld’s segment was in response to comments made by Lt.-Gen Andrew Leslie, Canada’s commander of land forces, who suggested that the military will need to take a year off to recover from the Afghan mission when its operations in the war torn country start to wind down in 2011. According to Gutfeld, the Canadian army will use the time to “do some yoga, paint some landscapes and run on the beach in gorgeous white Capri pants.”
Since the segment has hit the Internet earlier this week, backlash by the Canadian public has been immense. Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay calls what was said by Gutfeld and his posse crass and disgusting. Gutfeld, who was too gutless to speak to the Canadian media, issued an apology through Fox News. This is what Gutfeld had to say: “However, I realize that my words may have been misunderstood. It was not my intent to disrespect the brave men, women and families of the Canadian military, and for that I apologize.”
Gutfeld describes Red Eye as a “satirical take on the news, in which all topics are addressed in a lighthearted, humourous and ridiculous manner.”
I have watched the clip several times. Instead of discussing the Canadian military in a “lighthearted, humourous and ridiculous manner,” it was a bunch of ignorant yahoos talking trash about a subject that they failed to do their research on. One pundit, Doug Benson, didn’t realize that Canada was even in the war.
Canada has lost 116 soldiers and one diplomat since the war in Afghanistan started in 2002, including Master Corporal Scott Vernelli, who died while on foot patrol on March 20. The small community of Petawawa has lost 38 of its troops since 2003. Master Corporal Vernelli leaves behind his wife, and his six-month-old daughter, Olivia. I don’t think Vernelli’s comrades will be running on the beach in their gorgeous white Capri pants any time soon.
So the moral of the story is this: when you are going to satirize a serious subject, do your homework, know the facts and perform your shtick with people who are actually informed about the subject, not with those who believe Canada is a land of ice and snow, Mounties wear red jackets and ride horses while on patrol. Not only do you look boorish Gutfeld and Co., you also look like asses. Don't expect a true apology from this gutless goof and his band of ignorant imbeciles.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Tragedy
The recent death of four Canadian soliders based at CFB Petawawa have been on my mind since I first learned of the news last night. One of the soldiers, 28-year-old Master Corporal Scott Vernelli, leaves behind a six-month-old daughter. In September, local news media did a news story on Master Corporal Vernelli and his wife, who were expecting their first child. A couple of weeks later, a television crew revisited the family after his wife gave birth. Since I had recently gave birth at the time, the couple's story stuck in my mind.
Last night, I kept on thinking about Master Corporal Vernelli's baby girl and his wife. It is heartbreaking this little girl will never know her father. I know my thoughts, and the thoughts of countless Canadians, will be with this family. However, this is likely little comfort to a baby girl and her mother who have lost a piece of their heart.
Last night, I kept on thinking about Master Corporal Vernelli's baby girl and his wife. It is heartbreaking this little girl will never know her father. I know my thoughts, and the thoughts of countless Canadians, will be with this family. However, this is likely little comfort to a baby girl and her mother who have lost a piece of their heart.
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