Annual Naming of Silver Cross Mother (merged)
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Yes, thank you very much! Your son made the supreme sacrifice. He was a good soldier an must have been a good soldier. 
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Links to previously expressed sentiments on Sgt. Stachnik's passing below story - shared in accordance with the "fair dealing" provisions, Section 29, of the Copyright Act.
Alberta woman to stand for soldiers' mothers on Nov. 11
Don Retson, edmontonjournal.com, 7 Nov 08
Article link
A northern Alberta woman who lost her son to the war in Afghanistan has been named this year's Silver Cross Mother (links to VAC fact sheet on National Silver Cross Mother).
Avril Dianna Stachnik of Waskatenau will lay a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on Remembrance Day on behalf of all mothers who lost children in military service to their country.
Her son, Sgt. Shane Hank Stachnik (links to VAC Canadian Virtual War Memorial entry), also of Waskatenau, was killed in Afghanistan on Sept. 3, 2006, while taking part in Operation Medusa. He was ambushed while leading his section during a ground offensive against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan.
Besides his parents, Avril and Hank, he left behind his common-law spouse, Darcy Mitton, and two children, Elliot and Samnantha, ages 10 and 12. He was engaged to be married upon his return from his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.
The National Silver Cross Mother is chosen annually by The Royal Canadian Legion to represent the mothers of Canada at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on Nov. 11.
Waskatenau is about 100 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.
[email protected]
Avril Stachnik of Waskatenau, Alberta is introduced as the 2008 Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother during a news conference at the Beechwood National Military Cemetery in Ottawa.
Previous Army.ca condolences, thoughts, prayers & memories shared:
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/49754.0/all.html
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/49679.0/all.html
Alberta woman to stand for soldiers' mothers on Nov. 11
Don Retson, edmontonjournal.com, 7 Nov 08
Article link
A northern Alberta woman who lost her son to the war in Afghanistan has been named this year's Silver Cross Mother (links to VAC fact sheet on National Silver Cross Mother).
Avril Dianna Stachnik of Waskatenau will lay a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on Remembrance Day on behalf of all mothers who lost children in military service to their country.
Her son, Sgt. Shane Hank Stachnik (links to VAC Canadian Virtual War Memorial entry), also of Waskatenau, was killed in Afghanistan on Sept. 3, 2006, while taking part in Operation Medusa. He was ambushed while leading his section during a ground offensive against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan.
Besides his parents, Avril and Hank, he left behind his common-law spouse, Darcy Mitton, and two children, Elliot and Samnantha, ages 10 and 12. He was engaged to be married upon his return from his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.
The National Silver Cross Mother is chosen annually by The Royal Canadian Legion to represent the mothers of Canada at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on Nov. 11.
Waskatenau is about 100 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.
[email protected]
Avril Stachnik of Waskatenau, Alberta is introduced as the 2008 Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother during a news conference at the Beechwood National Military Cemetery in Ottawa.
Previous Army.ca condolences, thoughts, prayers & memories shared:
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/49754.0/all.html
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/49679.0/all.html
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Very true.Chimo said:Avril Stachnik is a class act and a great choice to be awarded such an honour. She is and will be an excellent representive of our Silver Cross Mothers.
I met her once. Very warm, strong woman. She told me through all what had happened to her family that the army "has been fantastic"
She loves her son very much and is a great mother. She will do us all proud!!!!
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Small community remembers hometown hero
Updated: Tue Nov. 11 2008 17:04:55
Sonia Sunger, ctvedmonton.ca
The small town of Waskatenau, Alberta gathered in solidarity Tuesday morning to honour veterans from years past and one hometown hero who was recently killed in Afghanistan.
Sgt. Shane Stachnik of Waskatenau was killed in Afghanistan two years ago, leaving the small town unable to fill his void.
"My son's on my mind everyday...he was my pride and joy," said his father Hank Stachnik. "He just loved it (the military)...I tried to talk him out of it."
Shane's mother is this year's Silver Cross Mother. She went to the nation's capital to represent all mothers who've lost a son or daughter in war.
"I'm pleased to be honouring other families, especially my son," said Avril Stachnik
Those who fought alongside Shane say Remembrance Day now brings a new meaning to them.
"To go to today's cenotaphs and actually see names listed on it under Afghanistan or guys that you know personally is quite a leap in your own personal vision of what this day's all about," said Major Chris Cotton.
One veteran says even though he never knew Shane he still deeply feels his loss.
"I didn't know him, but it hit me because I did all the training he did," said Lorne Langille.
Sgt. Shane Stachnik was killed along with Warrant Officers Richard Nolan, Frank Mellish and Private William Cushley during a ground offensive in southern Afghanistan on Sept. 3, 2006.
With files from Erin Isfeld
Updated: Tue Nov. 11 2008 17:04:55
Sonia Sunger, ctvedmonton.ca
The small town of Waskatenau, Alberta gathered in solidarity Tuesday morning to honour veterans from years past and one hometown hero who was recently killed in Afghanistan.
Sgt. Shane Stachnik of Waskatenau was killed in Afghanistan two years ago, leaving the small town unable to fill his void.
"My son's on my mind everyday...he was my pride and joy," said his father Hank Stachnik. "He just loved it (the military)...I tried to talk him out of it."
Shane's mother is this year's Silver Cross Mother. She went to the nation's capital to represent all mothers who've lost a son or daughter in war.
"I'm pleased to be honouring other families, especially my son," said Avril Stachnik
Those who fought alongside Shane say Remembrance Day now brings a new meaning to them.
"To go to today's cenotaphs and actually see names listed on it under Afghanistan or guys that you know personally is quite a leap in your own personal vision of what this day's all about," said Major Chris Cotton.
One veteran says even though he never knew Shane he still deeply feels his loss.
"I didn't know him, but it hit me because I did all the training he did," said Lorne Langille.
Sgt. Shane Stachnik was killed along with Warrant Officers Richard Nolan, Frank Mellish and Private William Cushley during a ground offensive in southern Afghanistan on Sept. 3, 2006.
With files from Erin Isfeld
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Well done, Shane's Mom, and CHIMO too,
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http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20111101/silver-cross-mother-111101/
CTVNews.ca Staff
Date: Tuesday Nov. 1, 2011 10:18 AM ET
The Royal Canadian Legion named the 2011 National Silver Cross Mother on Tuesday, ahead of the Remembrance Day ceremony in which she will lay a wreath on behalf of all bereaved mothers.
Patricia Elaine Braun will carry the title until Nov. 1, 2012, when her successor will be chosen.
Braun, originally from Semans, Sask., lost her son Cpl. David Braun to a suicide bomber in Afghanistan on Aug. 22, 2006.
Braun, who would have turned 32 this year, was a member of the Shilo, Man.-based 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry when he was killed while on patrol.
Braun will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial on Nov. 11 in Ottawa, representing all mothers who have lost sons or daughters in the military, para-military, the RCMP or in service to Canada.
She will stand alongside Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Gov. Gen. David Johnston at the formal ceremony.
Braun succeeds Mabel Girouard, last year's recipient. Her son Chief Warrant Officer Robert Michael Girouard was 46 when he was killed by a suicide bomber in 2006, leaving behind a wife and three children.
Read more: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20111101/silver-cross-mother-111101/#ixzz1cZ3isrpH
CTVNews.ca Staff
Date: Tuesday Nov. 1, 2011 10:18 AM ET
The Royal Canadian Legion named the 2011 National Silver Cross Mother on Tuesday, ahead of the Remembrance Day ceremony in which she will lay a wreath on behalf of all bereaved mothers.
Patricia Elaine Braun will carry the title until Nov. 1, 2012, when her successor will be chosen.
Braun, originally from Semans, Sask., lost her son Cpl. David Braun to a suicide bomber in Afghanistan on Aug. 22, 2006.
Braun, who would have turned 32 this year, was a member of the Shilo, Man.-based 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry when he was killed while on patrol.
Braun will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial on Nov. 11 in Ottawa, representing all mothers who have lost sons or daughters in the military, para-military, the RCMP or in service to Canada.
She will stand alongside Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Gov. Gen. David Johnston at the formal ceremony.
Braun succeeds Mabel Girouard, last year's recipient. Her son Chief Warrant Officer Robert Michael Girouard was 46 when he was killed by a suicide bomber in 2006, leaving behind a wife and three children.
Read more: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20111101/silver-cross-mother-111101/#ixzz1cZ3isrpH
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This story from today's Ottawa Citizen concerns the 2015 Silver Cross Mother. Her son, Cpl Jordan Anderson, was an active army.ca member. The story is reproduced under the Fair Dealing provisions of the Copyright Act.
Silver Cross Mother: 'Deeply honoured' but the hurt never ends
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/silver-cross-mother-deeply-honoured-but-the-hurt-never-ends
CHRIS COBB, OTTAWA CITIZEN
More from Chris Cobb, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: November 2, 2015 | Last Updated: November 2, 2015 6:00 AM EST
Sheila Anderson apologizes for getting emotional.
She’s explaining how she feels about being chosen by Royal Canadian Legion as this year’s Silver Cross Mother, but inevitably it leads her to speak about her oldest son Jordan, killed in Afghanistan on July 4, 2007, two weeks shy of his 26th birthday.
“I am deeply honoured to be chosen,” she says from her home in Yellowknife, “but it’s a really tough job speaking about my son without crying.
“I have empathy for mothers and families who have lost loved ones in conflict,” she adds. “It’s a group nobody wants to join. There is no coming back from it. You don’t get over it and you don’t get closure if they died away from you, and you didn’t get to say goodbye.”
Jordan was close to completing his second six-month tour of Afghanistan when he was killed by a buried roadside bomb while on patrol in Panjwai district, about 20 kilometres from Kandahar City.
He died in his armoured vehicle with five other Canadian soldiers and their Afghan interpreter.
Cpl Jordan Anderson, 3rd Battalion Princess PatriciaÌs Canadian Light Infantry was killed on 4 July, 2007 along with five other Canadian Forces members and one Afghan interpreter, when the vehicle they were traveling in struck an improvised explosive device south-west of Kandahar City.
Born in Iqaluit, Jordan was a member of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based out of Edmonton. He had been married for barely two years.
His mother, who used to work with emotionally disturbed teenagers in Ottawa, will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial on Remembrance Day.
The Memorial (Silver) Cross dates back to 1919 when it was first issued to mark the personal loss of all widows and mothers. The Silver Cross mother is chosen from a nationwide list of nominees and remains in the ceremonial role for a year.
Sheila Anderson’s term began Sunday.
“Jordan was a non-conformist so we were really surprised when he joined the army,” she says. “We didn’t think he followed instructions very well, but obviously he got over that.
“And he enjoyed the camaraderie, and when he joined the army he really believed he could make a difference in the world,” she adds. “He worked very hard at that.”
Two years before his death, Jordan’s military career almost ended when a parachuting accident left him with two crushed vertebrae and a prognosis that he had a 10-per-cent chance of remaining in the military.
“They were surprised he would walk again, never mind jump,” recalls his mother. “He was always a bit of a dare devil.”
Jordan spoke to his mother and father James just four days before he died: “He had the radio in his platoon and I’m not sure he was supposed to be phoning home all the time, but we heard from him quite often when he was deployed.
“He told us that if anyone over there wasn’t afraid they were a fool because it was terrifying. He said the scariest part was that they couldn’t tell where the enemy was, or who the enemy was. When the enemy is hiding among civilians it’s difficult to tell the difference.”
None of Jordan’s three younger brothers has joined the military.
Says their mother: “After what happened to Jordan I don’t think they’re much interested.”
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Silver Cross Mother: 'Deeply honoured' but the hurt never ends
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/silver-cross-mother-deeply-honoured-but-the-hurt-never-ends
CHRIS COBB, OTTAWA CITIZEN
More from Chris Cobb, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: November 2, 2015 | Last Updated: November 2, 2015 6:00 AM EST
Sheila Anderson apologizes for getting emotional.
She’s explaining how she feels about being chosen by Royal Canadian Legion as this year’s Silver Cross Mother, but inevitably it leads her to speak about her oldest son Jordan, killed in Afghanistan on July 4, 2007, two weeks shy of his 26th birthday.
“I am deeply honoured to be chosen,” she says from her home in Yellowknife, “but it’s a really tough job speaking about my son without crying.
“I have empathy for mothers and families who have lost loved ones in conflict,” she adds. “It’s a group nobody wants to join. There is no coming back from it. You don’t get over it and you don’t get closure if they died away from you, and you didn’t get to say goodbye.”
Jordan was close to completing his second six-month tour of Afghanistan when he was killed by a buried roadside bomb while on patrol in Panjwai district, about 20 kilometres from Kandahar City.
He died in his armoured vehicle with five other Canadian soldiers and their Afghan interpreter.
Cpl Jordan Anderson, 3rd Battalion Princess PatriciaÌs Canadian Light Infantry was killed on 4 July, 2007 along with five other Canadian Forces members and one Afghan interpreter, when the vehicle they were traveling in struck an improvised explosive device south-west of Kandahar City.
Born in Iqaluit, Jordan was a member of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based out of Edmonton. He had been married for barely two years.
His mother, who used to work with emotionally disturbed teenagers in Ottawa, will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial on Remembrance Day.
The Memorial (Silver) Cross dates back to 1919 when it was first issued to mark the personal loss of all widows and mothers. The Silver Cross mother is chosen from a nationwide list of nominees and remains in the ceremonial role for a year.
Sheila Anderson’s term began Sunday.
“Jordan was a non-conformist so we were really surprised when he joined the army,” she says. “We didn’t think he followed instructions very well, but obviously he got over that.
“And he enjoyed the camaraderie, and when he joined the army he really believed he could make a difference in the world,” she adds. “He worked very hard at that.”
Two years before his death, Jordan’s military career almost ended when a parachuting accident left him with two crushed vertebrae and a prognosis that he had a 10-per-cent chance of remaining in the military.
“They were surprised he would walk again, never mind jump,” recalls his mother. “He was always a bit of a dare devil.”
Jordan spoke to his mother and father James just four days before he died: “He had the radio in his platoon and I’m not sure he was supposed to be phoning home all the time, but we heard from him quite often when he was deployed.
“He told us that if anyone over there wasn’t afraid they were a fool because it was terrifying. He said the scariest part was that they couldn’t tell where the enemy was, or who the enemy was. When the enemy is hiding among civilians it’s difficult to tell the difference.”
None of Jordan’s three younger brothers has joined the military.
Says their mother: “After what happened to Jordan I don’t think they’re much interested.”
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Further to the above, Mrs Anderson mentioned in an interview on CFRA in Ottawa, that members of army.ca petitioned the University of Manitoba on GO!!!'s behalf. He had been working on a degree and had basically completed his requirements, so the university granted him a posthumous degree.
Staff Weenie
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I cannot even begin to understand how difficult this will be for Mrs Anderson. My sincere and heartfelt thanks that she has volunteered to be the Silver Cross Mother. I can only hope she feels the support of a grateful nation.
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This from The Canadian Press ...
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
... and this from the Legion
New Brunswick woman who lost two sons to PTSD named national Silver Cross Mother
Maureen Anderson lost both her sons to their overseas service in the Canadian Army, even if they died years later and a continent away from the hot dust and violence
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I remember Ryan from when I was with 2 RCR...
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Yes, was in Eritrea and Haiti with Ryan. Sad to hear that news.
RIP fellows.
RIP fellows.
stoker dave
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I think this is a bit of a bold choice and I congratulate the selection committee for making this selection. Ms Anderson has been dealing with an extraordinarily difficult situation and is worthy of this acknowledgement and our respect.
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Ryan was in my platoon when I was a rifle platoon commander in 2 RCR. Solid soldier and he made quite an impression on me: he was quite the professional.
Always chatted with him when I saw him out and about in Oromocto. His dad passed a while back, too, if I recall.
May they rest in peace. Pro Patria
Always chatted with him when I saw him out and about in Oromocto. His dad passed a while back, too, if I recall.
May they rest in peace. Pro Patria
George Wallace
Army.ca Dinosaur
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Saw the interview with her on CTV News last night. Very touching.
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