Rob_Haswell's Blog

It is almost Memorial Day once again.   It's a day to pause and remember the sacrifices made to protect us and our way of life and to honor those who continue to stand up for us and protect us by putting their lives on the line.

This Memorial Day I will take a moment to remember the members of my generation and generations past who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.  I will remember my Great Grandfather who fought in Africa with the British forces and other friends and family who have served their country.

However, top of mind for me this year, as it has been in many recent years will be a man I have known almost my entire life.  His name is Brad McCaughey.  As I write this, sitting in my climate controlled office, sipping an ice cold soda, he is on the sandy soil of Afghanistan serving with NATO forces.

I met Brad when I was five.  It was the very first day of kindergarten during our very first recess.  Picture two, very shy kids, leaning against the wall wondering what to do on this enormous playground.  If Brad's older sister hadn't come over and said," do you two want to be friends?", we might have just stood there all day.  But she told us to go play together and with that, we did.  We played together that day and every day after and for most of the days we spent at elementary school.

I'd like to say that even back then I knew Brad was the kind of guy that would put on a uniform and serve his country but I didn't and he probably didn't either.  He was painfully shy.  We were both on the short side and most certainly not among the most athletic.  We spent most of our time trying to avoid the "big kids" or trading hockey cards.  We played a million games together but I don't remember even once playing soldier or war.  Back then Brad just wanted to be a truck driver like his Dad.

Later in high school we drifted a bit.  Brad would spend his lunches in the library doing homework or talking computers with fellow techno-geeks while I found my calling in the Radio/TV Club and  becoming the President of the Drama Club.  While I came out of my shell, Brad remained a shy, somewhat introverted guy.  He just never seemed to find his niche.

Fate took us to the same college.  We even roomed together!  But even there Brad didn't feel he fit in and after just 6 months he dropped out and moved home.  At the time I remember thinking that this would be the end for him and that he might never really find his place in life.

I was wrong.

A year later, I was shocked beyond belief when I heard that Brad had enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces.  I have to admit, I didn't think he'd make through basic training but he did.  He not only made it through, he excelled.  He went from the stereotypical 98lb weakling to a musclebound military machine.  He quickly rose to the rank of Master Corporal and became a technology specialist.

He found his niche in a world that no one who knew him would have ever expected.

Needless to say I am very proud to call him a friend and I wanted to take a moment this Memorial Day weekend not only to remember his sacrifice as he works to defend us in Afghanistan, thousands of miles from his wife and kids, but also to introduce you to a man that I consider to be a hero.

I also hope my story about where Brad started and what he was like early in life will serve as a reminder to never judge a book by its cover.  That meek, nerdy little kid might just be the next one to step up and and put on a uniform to protect the way of life that we have come to enjoy and all to often take for granted.

Here's a wonderful photo of Brad posing with a great symbol of that way of life he's working to protect - the Stanley Cup!