Project Heroes » Uncategorized

The Mouths of Babes

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:34:58 +0000

As we sat watching the Roar of the Rings curling finals today, a friend relayed this story from her four-year-old son…
Listening to a clip on the radio news about Afghanistan with his mother, he asked her, “Why are they still fighting over there?”
She tried to explain as best she could, but he interrupted and told her he knew what should be done to resolve the conflict.
“What I would do,” he said, “is I would sneak in there at night and steal all their clothes. Then they wouldn’t want to go and fight.”
Such a simple, yet somehow so profoundly logical solution coming from the mouth of a boy who believes the world would be a better place if only people wouldn’t fight with each other.
Since four-year-olds don’t run the world, and the Taliban and our soldiers still have their clothes, there will still be conflict in Afghanistan.
The best we can do is support our troops and pray for their safety while they work on our behalf.
Here’s to Canadian soldiers at home, in Afghanistan and in other countries world-wide. We appreciate you and thank you for all you do.
And thanks to all the four-year-olds who should be thinking of snowmen and toys and chocolate. Knowing that they also think of world peace means they will become sensitive, caring adults who will make a difference in tomorrow’s world.

Edmonton Visit

admin — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:07:00 +0000

Shairl (far right) and I recently visited with Sarah Keller, (centre) wife of Cpl. Bryce Keller who was killed in action in August, 2006.

As we gained insight into Bryce’s character in order for Shairl to paint his portrait, we also found a kinship with this smart and kind young lady who is also in the Canadian military.

Sarah is currently studying for her nursing degree at the University of Alberta (Edmonton), after which she will use her nursing skills in the military.

As with other soldiers’ family members who we have visited, Sarah shared her husband’s story openly.

We are so grateful for how open all the families have been and we appreciate that it must be incredibly difficult to do that.

Thank you so much to Sarah and to all the other families who have welcomed us so warmly and allowed us to paint the portraits of their loved ones.

We are truly honored to do this project and will do or very best to make you all proud.

— Susan Abma

*Please note: Our website – www.projectheroes.ca – is being rebuilt and will be down for about two days. It should be back up Nov. 26 or before. We are very proud of our new look and thank Lynda Baxter and www.artincanada.com for redesigning it. We hope you’ll check back in a few days to see our newly designed website. Thanks for your patience.

Completed Portrait

admin — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:42:00 +0000

Corporal Cole Bartsch

Another painting is finished. Each portrait represents a life and we are reminded how special these young people who have given their lives are. Not everyone can do what they have done and we are grateful to them and their families.

Cindy Revell