afghanistan war

4 articles

Nov9

2013What Vietnam War battlefield rescue is memorialized depicting the only time when one Medal of Honor recipient was rescued by a person who would eventually be awarded a Medal of Honor for rescuing him?

At the entrance of the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida, a striking ten-foot bronze statue called 'Swim Buddies' commemorates an extraordinary Vietnam War battlefield rescue. The sculpture memorializes the night of October 31, 1972, when SEAL Petty Officer Michael "Mike" Thornton braved enemy fire to carry his critically injured teammate, Lieutenant Thomas "Tommy" Norris, to safety—an act that would result in both men receiving the Medal of Honor, uniquely marking the only time one recipient saved another. Thornton towed Norris for two hours through darkness and surf before they were rescued, exemplifying the SEAL ethos of mutual responsibility known as the "swim buddy" system. Unveiled on November 9, 2013, and commissioned by H. Ross Perot, the statue stands as a powerful symbol of valor and brotherhood at the historic training grounds of America’s original WWII "frogmen."

May17

2006Who was the first female Canadian soldier to be killed in combat?

Captain Nichola K.S. Goddard, M.S.M., holds a distinguished place in Canadian military history as the first female soldier killed in combat, and the first army officer since the Korean War to direct artillery fire against the enemy. Her death occurred on May 17, 2006, during a fierce firefight with Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan, marking a pivotal moment for women in Canada’s armed forces. Goddard’s final resting place is the National Military Cemetery in Ottawa, where her legacy continues to inspire and remind the nation of her service and sacrifice.

Sep28

1999Why are there two members of the Canadian Armed Forces' Military Police memorialized on the Alberta Police and Peace Officers' Memorial?

The Alberta Police and Peace Officers' Memorial, located on the grounds of the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton, honors fallen members of the law enforcement community, including two Military Police officers: Corporal Stephen David Gibson and Corporal Randy Joseph Payne. Their inclusion on the memorial underscores the close bond between military and civilian police, especially when tragedy strikes in service. Corporal Gibson, aged 29, was killed in 2003 near Medicine Hat while acting as an escort for the Terry Fox run—on his very first day as a Military Police officer at CFB Suffield. Corporal Payne was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2006, serving on a Close Protection Team for a Canadian general, highlighting the global risks faced by Alberta's peace officers and the enduring legacy remembered at the annual memorial ceremony.

Jul22

1995What is a 'rolling memorial'?

A 'rolling memorial' is a unique and increasingly popular form of commemoration found across North America, involving vehicles such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles artfully transformed to honour fallen heroes or mark significant events. These moving tributes not only keep memories alive on everyday streets but also bring remembrance directly to communities, fostering public awareness and support. In Canada, the first Canadian Heroes Memorial Vehicle debuted on July 22, 2010, and in its first seven years traveled over 200,000 kilometres, leading parades, attending funerals, and serving at countless national events. The tradition continues today, with personalized designs like Lise A. Charron’s vehicle honouring Trooper Jack Bouthillier, symbolizing both individual loss and national gratitude.