Courtesy Photo | MCpl Renay Groves receives a hug from BGen Guy Laroche, commander of Joint Task Force...... read more read more
By MCpl Renay Groves
National Defence Canada
CANADA - For over a year, MCpl Renay Groves has travelled across Canada collecting signatures in her handmade book "Notes From Home". On Dec. 4, she personally delivered the book containing thousands of signatures, drawings, photos and kind wishes, to the soldiers deployed in Afghanistan. This is her personal account of what it was like to finally deliver this book to the troops:
"When the book was started in Quebec, it was so much smaller than it is now. It has been rebound with extra pages four times—the book has grown tremendously."
"One day, this book will reside in the Canadian War Museum, and tell the stories of those who waited back home, while Canadian heroes served on the frontlines. This experience is one I will never forget. After so many stories, memories, tears, chance happenings, smiles, laughs and generous support, I am now even prouder to be a Canadian who wears a uniform."
"The night of Dec. 4 is one I will never forget. This is the moment when I said thank-you to our troops on behalf of over 80,000 Canadians from all walks of life."
"BGen Guy Laroche, commander Joint Task Force Afghanistan ROTO 4 was very pleased his soldiers would receive such a personal gesture of support from Canada, and it was an honour to deliver the big red book."
"I spoke to the troops as BGen Laroche held the book, which weighs over 40 pounds, (18 kg), the entire time. I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of pride as I spoke—proud that I was wearing the same uniform as those before me. Try and imagine how I felt in that moment when I was on Afghan soil, telling our heroes how much they are appreciated back home by so many."
"Just as it has been on any leg of our "Notes From Home", trip there were moments of comic relief. I'm a Newfoundlander, and I was in a room filled with Francophone soldiers. They had someone on stage to translate what I was saying so everyone could understand the meaning of this big red book. In that moment, so much went through my heart and mind. I thought of those who put their lives on the line daily, those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Afghanistan and the families left to morn. What was certain in that moment was this—we were together and for that I am forever thankful—thankful to those who supported this book, handwritten by Canadians for our troops. I appreciate the time our Prime Minister took to write in this mighty book, as much as I appreciate the, terminally ill little boy in the Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre in St. John's, Newfoundland, who signed this book of support for our troops. If only you could have seen how very proud his parents were."
"I also delivered tour diaries."
"After BGen Laroche accepted the book, I had the most wonderful opportunity to explain the small tour diary I have been sending into Afghanistan for several years. In that moment, so many who have helped in that process were in my heart and on my mind, and I had the chance to share this with the troops."
"This organization of ours is vast and includes so many people in and out of uniform who have been a part of making the tour diary possible."
"In the end, Notes From Home brought a message to our troops serving in Afghanistan—home is always near. On the night of Dec. 4, there wasn't a soldier in that room whose heart didn't beat faster—faster from the prayers and wishes of respect and honour from Canadians who took the time to hand write a note in the big red book."
"Thank you Canada for caring about our soldiers. Lest We Forget."
| Date Taken: | 02.13.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 02.15.2008 10:32 |
| Story ID: | 16371 |
| Location: | CA |
| Web Views: | 762 |
| Downloads: | 650 |
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