With regard to Col. Russell Williams having an additional 82 charges before him. This is a sad story of a sociopath who happened to be in our military. I would sooner see stories in the media of our Troops and the great works that they are doing. Nuff said of Col.Williams
Once again I have been sent a great link from loyal readers. Ed in Miramachi and Rex in Alberta keeping their fingers on the pulse of Canada as I like to think. Thank you fellas:
Charles Pallett (second from right), 12, of Fisher Park Public School, shares the stage with Master Cpl. Jody Mitic (right), the subject of an essay written by Pallet, his teacher Angie Kouretas (second from left) and Dr. Libby O'Connell, from the A E Television Networks. Photograph by: David Gonczol, The Ottawa Citizen
OTTAWA Master Cpl. Jody Mitic of Ottawa has had much to overcome since losing parts of both legs to a landmine in Afghanistan three years ago. He went through an arduous rehabilitation process to learn how to walk and eventually run with the aid of prosthetics.
But Mitic says living up to the inspirational expectations of him found in a 12-year old Ottawa boys award-winning essay might be one of the most difficult challenges hes had in a while.
Mitic was a surprise guest Tuesday morning at Fisher Park Public School, where he presented Charles Pallett, 12, with a cheque for $2,000 for winning the Lives That Make A Difference Essay Contest. The national competition attracted 1,800 contestants in Grades 5 to 8 who were asked to write about someone they thought had made an important impact on Canadian society in the past year.
To be honest, it gives me a bar and the bar is set for a personal expectation. If this is what Charles thinks of me who am I to tell him he is wrong and now I have something I have to live up to, which is good, said Mitic.
The soft-spoken Pallett read his essay to a packed school auditorium. It recounts in detail Mitics rehabilitation, which culminated in his completion last September of the 21-kilometre Canada Army Run.
Master Corporal Mitic is an inspiration and role model for all Canadians, Pallett wrote.
He has made a positive difference in our lives by reminding us of the sacrifices made by our troops, the need for rehabilitation programs for injured solders and the potential that exists in all of us.
Pallett said he wanted to write about Mitic because, as a goalie playing competitive hockey, he can relate to the frustrations and challenges they both face.
Sometimes theres moments where you feel like giving up. When I get frustrated its because I let in a couple goals but he must be pretty frustrated and he must go through a lot over in Afghanistan so I thought it was something easy to relate to myself and the story could then inspire me to work harder and be better and not give up, said Pallett.
Mitic, who read the essay just before meeting Pallet, seemed taken aback by his influence on Pallet and a number of other students across Canada who entered the contest and chose Mitic as their inspirational subject.
Its a humbling experience to read something like what Charles wrote about me, said Mitic, who has become known locally and nationally for regaining the ability to walk, completing a half-marathon and serving as a Paralympic torchbearer.
Pallet is a Grade 7 student in a class taught by Angie Kouretas, who will also receive $1,000 for use in her classroom. It is the third time in the 10-year history of the essay contest that a winner has come from a class taught by Kouretas. The contest is sponsored in Canada by AE Television Networks.
Dr. Libby OConnell, chief historian and senior vice president of corporate outreach for AE Networks, travelled from New York to attend the presentation.
CDS presenting Cheque to soldier on co-ordinators, in Kandahar
The web site for Canada's Invisible Army is now undergoing design. Please feel free to add comments etc at: http//:www.invisiblearmycanada.ca
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
