Perhaps the attrition rate in the Armed Forces would drop if there was a greater appreciation for their sacrifices, and they knew their families would be well taken care of in the worst case scenario. One such idea to help families of soldiers is being launched this September after Kevin Reed, a Toronto-area businessman who came up with the idea of getting Universities in Canada to offer free tuition to the children of fallen soldiers soldiers. So far four Universities are offering to cover the cost of tuition for the children of soldiers killed in service under “Project Hero”. They will be be available at Memorial University in Newfoundland, the University of Ottawa, the University of Windsor and the University of Calgary, and will cover four years:
“It’s the least we can do to express our respect and gratitude to members of our armed services who put their lives on the line for Canada everyday,” Allan Rock, the president of the University of Ottawa, told CTV News Channel Tuesday.
“At the university we feel this is a very tangible way to say to the families of the people that are serving for Canada, that we value their contribution and we want to do something to demonstrate that gratitude.”
He said that first-year residence fees would also be waived for those eligible.
“Hopefully it will take some pressure off families and reduce pressure,” he said.
The scholarships were launched by retired general Rick Hiller, who is now serving as chancellor of Memorial University in his native Newfoundland.
Well, they did say that Rick Hillier is a soldier’s soldier.
As for appreciating our soldier’s, you’ve heard of the Victoria Cross, given for valour in combat and named after the Queen of England. The VC was first introduced on in 1856 by Queen Victoria to reward acts of valour during the Crimean War, and is the highest military honour possible. There have only been 17 VC medals awarded since the Second World War.
Now Great Britain is launching a new medal, this time from Queen Elizabeth II, and will be called the Elizabeth Cross. It will be available to the relatives of all those killed in conflicts since the end of World War II. Canada has it’s own version of the Victoria Cross. Perhaps it would be a good idea to offer the Elizabeth Cross in Canada in keeping with our commonwealth traditions and our sovereign.
