I am writing in response to your message requesting veterans' memoirs for an Ottawa teacher's project to involve his 6 to 8 year old students in Remembrance Day 2011 activities. I cannot be of direct assistance to this project, but I can provide the following information to this teacher and others planning to instruct their students on Peacekeeping and Peacemaking this year. It may be of wide interest. Please forward this message to the Ottawa teacher and any other contact who may find it useful.
There is a website at www.readingandremembrance.ca that has been active for a number of years in Ontario. The site is designed as a free on-line resource for teachers and others interested in promoting Remembrance Day observances in the classroom. The Ontario Historical Society and Veterans Affairs Canada are listed among its sponsors.
I became aware of this site when I was requested to provide permission to use a photo of my brother, Cpl. Michael W. Simpson, to accompany his profile on the site. The site may be too sophisticated for the needs of the teacher mentioned in your request because of the age of the students. It is suitable for older children and secondary students. Details follow.
The Reading and Remembrance project provides free on-line ready-to-teach LESSON packages for Ontario educators. It is commemorative in nature and promotes remembrance in Canada. The 10 lessons and 20 minutes commemorate individual Canadian Forces members who served with the UN and NATO, as well as Canadians who help preserve global peace and protect fundamental human rights. They include those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The 2011 Peacekeeping and Peacemaking theme focuses on the duties and sacrifice of several individuals. They are LCol J. A. Berthiaume who served with UNOC (United Nations Operation in the Congo 1960 - 1964), MCpl Mark (Izzy) Isfeld who was killed while lifting mines as a member of UNPROFOR (United Nations Protection Force 1992- 1994) and Cpl. Michael W. Simpson, killed with eight other Canadians while supporting UNEF II and UNDOF on August 9, 1974.
Those involved in more recent operations include CWO Kevin R. Junor, International Military Advisory Team in Sierra Leone (2007) and Major Thomas A. Nguyen, a veteran of ”Operation Hamlet”, Canada’s contribution to MINUSTAH, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, (January-July 2007). Lt Carl Clarke from the Jamaican Defence Force (JDF) who served with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan in 2009. Lt Clarke, a JDF Engineer Officer, was a Construction Management Team Leader with the Construction Management Organization of Joint Task Force Afghanistan Headquarters.
The 2011 article has photos of the individuals profiled as well as a brief history of their involvement in peace support missions. Thought provoking questions and answers encourage the students to discuss the success of past, present and future peacekeeping and peacemaking operations. The tone of the articles is very positive and will provide teachers and their students with information so that they will be better equipped to appreciate Canada's role in helping to make and keep the peace.
In the Service of Peace,
Jack Simpson |