Thursday, March 31, 2011

Repatriation Of A Hero

Yesterday some of the staff from Canadian Heroes took the time to visit the repatriation ceremony for Cpl. Yannick Scherrer with members of the Vernelli family in a Canadian Heroes wrapped car.
More than 150 people turned out to the ceremony in Toronto. Canadian Heroes took the opportunity to capture the event in photos. Check here for all of our pics from the repatriation.
Also, Chris Ecklund of Canadian Heroes was on hand for the event. He was interviewed by the media after Cpl. Scherrer was brought home. We’ll post a link to the interview once it’s broadcast by media outlets is complete.
Our hearts go out to the Scherrer family and all people affected by a loss from the Afghan mission. We are truly grateful for all of their sacrifices.

Photos from the Repatriation

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Another Car Wrapped Up

Recently our old friend, Lise Charon, came back to Hamilton with her own vehicle for a very special purpose. She is having her vehicle wrapped in Canadian Heroes graphics over the next two weeks.
In the mean time Lise and Canadian Heroes isn’t staying idle. Lise has embarked on another tour in our number 1 Canadian Heroes car. She will be making the rounds across northern Ontario while her car is in the shop getting wrapped.
Most recently Lise stopped by Hearst to visit the Bouthillier family. So far the trip has been going well with a good reception wherever she, and the Canadian Heroes car, goes.
Keep watching here for the latest developments and new surrounding Lise’s travels and Canadian Heroes news.

Cpl. Scherrer, Canadian Hero, Repatriated Today

The repatriation of Canada’s latest fatality of the Afghan mission, Cpl. Yannick Scherrer, 24, will take place today, Wednesday, March 30 of 2011.
Cpl. Scherrer is the 155th Canadian Soldier to fall in the Afghan mission overall but the first in 2011. Canada had not suffered a combat loss for more than three months until Sunday.
Cpl. Scherrer was on foot patrol with Afghan forces 15 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City when he was hit with an improvised explosive device at noon on Sunday. He was posted with the 1st battalion, Royal 22nd regiment, also known as the Van Doos.
The military transport returning the remains of Cpl. Yannick Scherrer is scheduled to arrive at CFB Trenton at approximately 2p.m. Wednesday afternoon.
More than 1,000 troops gathered on the tarmac to pay their respects to Cpl. Scherrer with an overnight ramp ceremony as he began his voyage home on Monday from Kandahar Airfeld.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Cpl. Sherrer’s family and to the soldiers and friends who served alongside him,” said Brig.-Dean Milner in a statement read at Kandahar Airfield.
We at Canadian Heroes urge all those that have the time and the means to pay your respects along the Highway of Heroes or at the repatriation ceremony in Toronto.
Our hearts and thoughts remain with the Scherrer family during this difficult time. We appreciate all that Cpl. Yannick Scherrer has done for our country and for our freedom.
He will be remembered.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Working copy of next Canadian Heroes Memorial Car

Canada Looses Another Hero: First of 2011


It is with great sadness and much regret that we bring you the news of another fallen Canadian Hero in the Afghan mission.
Cpl. Yannick Scherrer, 24, was on foot patrol with Afghan forces 15 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City when he was hit with an improvised explosive device at noon on Sunday.
Cpl. Scherrer is the 155th Canadian Soldier to fall in the Afghan mission overall but the first in 2011. Canada had not suffered a combat loss for more than three months until Sunday.
Scherrer was based out of CFB Valcartier, Quebec. He was posted with the 1st battalion, Royal 22nd regiment, also known as the Van Doos.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Cpl. Sherrer’s family and to the soldiers and friends who served alongside him,” said Brig.-Dean Milner, in a statement read at Kandahar Airfield.
“Canadians can be proud of the progress our soldiers have accomplished for the people of Kandahar,” Milner added.
“More work remains to be done. We will honour Yannick’s sacrifice by maintaining our resolve and continuing the fight to make Afghanistan a safer and self-sustaining country.”
The Canadian Forces are slated to pull out of the Afghan mission in 2011. Canada has been involved in a military role since 2002 marking 9 years in combat.
Canadian Heroes would like to express our condolences to the Scherrer family in this difficult time. We ask those that can to lend support in whatever way they are able. Our thoughts will be with you.
Keep watching here for updates as they come in.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

The Canadian Heroes Memorial Van for the Vernelli Family

4 days ago, I issued a statement in relation to a new Canadian Heroes memorial van that we are going to put together for the Vernelli family. Since then we have recieved some feedback from people about this. It has always been my policy to not discuss any personal financial details of any of my Philanthropy and that will remain true in this regard. I have done this for several other individuals/groups/families over the years and will continue to do so. No one at any time has the right to demand to know what these financial arrangements are, it is a private matter between myself and them period. The Vernelli family will be making interest free monthly payments on the van till paid in full.

Over the years I have been blessed to meet many families of the fallen, and myself/staff and volunteers have become very close and dear friends with many, and that is something I am most grateful of.

A common thread though has appeared in that with the passing of a soldier, it has put an incredible amount of stress on the family left behind that unfortunately it has broken many of them apart creating great rifts that are very disturbing to all, and something that is heartbreaking for all to witness.

I have seen this so many times, like many family problems we ALL have, the loss of a loved one in a theatre of war challenges even the strongest of families.

The situation unfolding however is one of the most troubling I have seen as a Canadian in that some people have stooped so low that they have suggested that family members of the Vernelli's have no right to mourn the loss of their own.

No-one has the right to dicate to the family how they should act at this time, it is truly embarrassing.

As a person I dont pick sides in order to gain friendship, I am here for everyone, and will do anything I can in order to help them out.

People also need to remember that we cant be there for everyone and or know everyone unless they approach us first.

Reading some of the letters that the family and myself have recieved has also clearly shown that they have become so emotionally driven either to gather favour with an individual or to pick a side that one forgets all that is happening here is that the family wants to show and honour the loss of a loved one. When emotions and past events get in the way, our judgement on this matter gets clouded and we lose focus on the greater cause.

I would respectively ask everyone to respect the family and remind all that this is a private matter not to be lived over the internet and or in a public forum.

At the end of the day folks all we have is each other if we cant be here for each other and help each other out then the enemy has truly won.

Chris Ecklund

Monday, March 21, 2011

In Memory of a Canadian Hero


Yesterday marked the second anniversary of the passing of four Canadian Heroes. Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli and Cpl. Tyler Crooks, both of November Company, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment as well as Trooper Jack Bouthillier and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes, both of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, were all killed 2 years ago on March 20.
Chris Ecklund, of Canadian Heroes, took this opportunity to make a special announcement to the family of Scott Vernelli.
" It was truly an honour today on the 2nd anniversary of the passing of one of Canada's Heroes that we paid a visit to the Vernelli Family and informed them that they would be the recipient of a new Canadian Heroes Memorial Van adorned with pictures of Mcpl. Scott Vernelli " said Mr. Ecklund.
Executive Assistant Kim Lindsay was also present for the visit with the Vernelli family.
"Today I got to spend the day with one amazing family, the Vernelli family. Today was a very hard day as it marked the 2 year anniversary of the death of a son, brother, father, god father, uncle, cousin, partner, friend, and one amazing soldier MCpl Scott Vernelli. I, unfortunately, never got the chance to meet this wonderful man but can see how amazing of a man he is through the eyes of his proud family. Today we went through pictures, spoke of funny moments, and toasted to this Canadian Hero. Thank you Vernelli family for inviting me to honour your precious Canadian Hero. Rest In Peace MCpl Scott Vernelli. Never forgotten. " said Kim Lindsay in a message.
We will keep you posted on developments as they happen. Keep watching for the latest news on our websites and blogs.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Canadian Heroes Yukon Truck

First working drawings of a proposed Yukon truck wrapped in the Canadian Heroes colours.

CTS News Story

Check out the CTS airing of our Canadian Heroes in Daytona.

http://www.ctstv.com/agn/?vidID=21322

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Canadian Heroes Golf Tournament

As spring rolls in and summer nears we get closer to our first Golf Tournament reported earlier in the month. Our first tournament ,in partnership with Astral Radio, which runs K-lite FM, Oldies 1150 and 820 Cham, will be held on June 1, at a course that will be announced at a later date. All proceeds from this event will go towards building a memorial for Sgt. Shawn Eades, one of our many Canadian Heroes.
Recently Chris Ecklund made a commercial to start promoting awareness of the upcoming tournament. Click on the link below for a look at the commercial first hand.

Canadian Heroes Golf Tournament Commercial

Keep watching here and on Facebook for developments as they occur. Tell your friends, bring your family, let’s all get involved to help remember our Canadian Heroes.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Ideal Home and Garden Show

Canadian Heroes and City of Waterfalls both had booths at the Ideal Home and Garden Show, at the Careport Center in Hamilton, which took place over the weekend (March 4 to 6). We had good reason to be there too. In addition to our regular initiatives we were promoting the upcoming Canadian Heroes Golf Tournament slated to take place in June of this year.

In order to promote the golf event Canadian Heroes and City of Waterfalls set up a second booth complete with putters, balls and of course a putting green. Golf enthusiasts were treated to a quick practice with the putters from Friday to Sunday.

Hopefully the tournament will be as big a success as the Ideal Home and Garden Show was. Keep watching our Facebook and Twitter groups for more information as it develops.

Check out our pics from the weekend here.

Thanks to all of our volunteers for helping to make the weekend as enjoyable as it was.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Rytta Yates and Bev McCraw working the Canadian Heroes Booth

We were honoured today to have Bev McCraw a silver cross mother come by our booth and help us out.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

The Canadian Heroes Golf Tournament

We at Canadian Heroes are pleased to announce that we will be hosting our first golf tournament this spring. Our first tournament ,in partnership with Astral Radio, which runs K-lite FM, Oldies 1150 and 820 Cham, will be held on June 1, at a course that will be announced at a later date.

All proceeds from this event will go towards building a memorial for Sgt. Shawn Eades, one of our many Canadian Heroes.

At this point you’re probably asking yourself, ‘How do I get involved?’.
1. Spread the word and invite all your facebook friends to this event.

2. Start to pre-sell a foursome for the event, price,date and place TBA.

3. Start looking for sponsors and prizes for the event!!!

Thanks to all for your support. Keep watching here and on our Facebook page for more information as it develops.

Smoke on the water

Fire in the sky

A beautiful waterfall inside the careport centre for the home and garden show

You should see this waterfall!!! Its absolutely stunning come see it you will love it!!!

The City of Waterfalls bus gets the red carpet treatment

The finished Canadian Heroes Booth

She is all done now we just have to fill the tables with merchandise!!!

Snap Hamiltons article on the Canadian soldiers Daytona experience