The torch continued it's journey across Canada recently in CFB Petawawa, where a team made up of many parts of the Military Family celebrated the Flame.
OTTAWA Charmaine Tedford has suffered what no wife should have to, but knowing the jobs our husbands do, we accept the consequences, even if the eventual result is the death of our husband. Despite these words of the friend who nominated her for the Olympic torch run, Charmaine Tedford does not want to be known as the widow. Her husband, Darcy, was killed in Afghanistan in an insurgent attack. That was three years ago, in October 2006. Its time, she says, to move on.
She holds her head high, her letter of nomination continued, teaches her beautiful children that life goes on, that its okay to cry, that dad was truly their hero, and eventually life goes on. Tedford was among a group of 20 torchbearers representing CFB Petawawa who carried the Olympic flame Sunday, as it travelled from Ottawa to Pembroke.
I was reluctant at first, she admits, but I didnt want to let my friends down, because they thought enough about me to nominate me. And while she doesnt want to be known as the nameless and token widow, as she puts it, shes not unaware of the impact shes had on others.
People say, You inspire me, and I answer, Why? she says. And they say, Because you kept going on, and my answer is. I had a choice? The only choice I had was to keep going. I have two kids. I didnt have the luxury of staying in bed all day and sleeping, or doping myself up on antidepressants and sleeping pills. I had two little girls I had to worry about.
I kept hearing what my husband used to say to his guys: You dont have to like it, you just have to do it. This isnt about Darcy dying, she adds, its about picking yourself up and moving forward.
Although she grew up in Newfoundland, Tedford remains in Petawawa, where shes lived since 1995, because thats where her friends are. There isnt much opportunity where I came from, so why leave here? How could they support me when they didnt know how this life works? Here they understand you dont necessarily celebrate the kids birthdays on their birthday; you celebrate on the weekend that dads home. You might not celebrate Christmas at Christmas, if it means hes leaving the week before Christmas.
Her daughters, Kaeleigh and Julia, were seven and five when their dad died. A friend of Tedfords who had also lost her husband suggested that they jog together. She said, Lets run one lap, and I nearly died. But they kept at it, in what Tedford describes as moving therapy sessions.
That was in January 2008. In May that year, Tedford completed a 10-kilometre run, and, four months later, a half-marathon in the Army Run in Ottawa. Im not an athlete, she insists. But maybe its not about being an athlete. Maybe its about overcoming challenges. And boy, you know, that was a pretty big challenge that I overcame.
Another torchbearer from CFB Petawawa was Capt. Simon Johnson, a helicopter pilot with 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron. The Olympics is a very prestigious event, he said. It only happens every four years, and rarely does it come to Canada.
In my opinion, the second-best thing to being in the Olympics itself is being involved in the torch run. Johnson also noted a family connection: In 1976, before he was born, his father carried the Olympic flame in Montreal. He was part of a coaching association and was one of the escorts who ran along with the torchbearer. In his case, the torchbearer passed the torch to the escorts. Johnson likes to think that one day one of his kids Cohen is four, while Reese is 15 months might have the same opportunity. Who knows? Maybe this will become a family tradition.
As the team neared the end of its route, Master Cpl. Michael Trauner, who lost both his legs in Afghanistan a year ago, carried the torch the final metres to a stage where base commander Lt.-Col. Keith Rudderham, Col. Wayne Eyre, Petawawa Mayor Bob Sweet and RBC officials thanked the crowd.
For Trauner, the occasion was special not just to be a part of history, but to dedicate at least his small portion of the relay. Im doing this for something, he said. Im standing for something my friends that have suffered and lost so much overseas.
Meanwhile in Ottawa Cpl.Andrew Knisley another wounded soldier carried the torch from the Terry Fox memorial.
Canadian Forces Cpl. Andrew Knisley of London, Ont., who lost his right leg and seriously injured his right arm in Afghanistan in January, was the first to carry the torch after it was lit across the street from Parliament Hill around 6:45 a.m. Knisley said he was pleased to carry the torch in Ottawa because it was where he learned to walk again and regained the use of his right arm.
It's thanks to the people here in Ottawa and the rehab centre and just the community support in general that I'm actually here today, he said.
Second World War veteran Ed Timson, 91, said he was overwhelmed by the number of people who turned out to watch him carry the Olympic torch. (CBC)
Second World War veteran Ed Timson, 91, said he was overwhelmed by the number of people who turned out to watch him carry the Olympic torch. (CBC)Later in the morning, the torch was taken up by a local veteran of another war. Ed Timson, a former member of three air forces the British, New Zealand and Canadian fought in the Second World War. He carried the torch through Orlans, in the city's east end, while seated in his wheelchair, and he described the experience as unbelievable.
And the people waiting for me when I got here wonderful, wonderful, he said.
From Veterans to serving members the military families do their bit for the Olympics.
A further story of the Torch that I carried, it was purchased as a memento by my brother George.He volunteers at a seniors centre in Brampton. He took the torch to share it with the seniors. They asked if he could take their photo with it. Jokingly he said sure $5.00. He took the photos and raised $250 for the local food bank. His branch of the Lions Club has also asked to take photos and more funds will be donated to the food bank. Good Show George. Another Canadian sharing in the Olympic Spirit.
Proud Canadians Sharing with others. Today is the last Red Friday before Christmas. Please say a prayer or have a thought for all our troops and their families Canada's Invisible Army
Late Edition I just received this e mail:
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Merry Christmas to All !
Thanks to George McRobb we raised $250.00 for the St. Louise Outreach Food Bank!
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Pictured above is George McRobb with the Olympic torch
Georges brother, Robby, ran with the torch in Borden, Prince Edward Island. George kindly brought it into the Flower City Seniors Centre. George had the wonderful idea to let whoever wanted to have their picture taken for a $2 donation to the food bank. For anyone who missed the opportunity dont worry, the torch will be back on Wednesday December 23 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM for more pictures!
Remember Everyone Deployed
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
