LITTLE CURRENT—Linda Bowerman, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 177 in Little Current along with her two daughters and a granddaughter walked in memory of family members and close friends at the annual Canada Army Run 2023 in Ottawa. This walk is a fundraiser for veterans.
“The first time I took part in 2012 (participating again in 2013) I found it to be very emotional witnessing so many veterans who had lost limbs taking part in this event,” said Ms. Bowerman. “It’s quite a touching thing to see.”
“This year we didn’t see that many veterans, but it was still very emotional as we had learned from a post online that Roy Eaton had posted to the Legion Facebook page about a memory lane at the run,” said Ms. Bowerman. “Leeanne (Ms. Bowerman’s daughter) looked into it and found that as there was four of us we would be able to honour four veterans. So we honoured my two uncles, Norman F. Lockyer, who served with Royal Canadian Artillery 4th Field Regiment and was killed on July 13, 1944 and is buried in Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian cemetery in France; and Herman Lockyer who was a member with the 3rd Cameron Highlanders.”
“Living in Espanola Leeanne and Connie knew the families of Corporal Glen Arnold in the second Field Ambulance and Private David Byers was in the 2nd Battalion Canadian Light Infantry. Both were killed on September 18, 2006, in Panjwai (by a suicide bomber) in Afghanistan. So, they reached out to the two families for permission to honour them,” continued Ms. Bowerman.
“There had to be over 10,000 people on hand, runners/walkers and people cheering everyone on in Ottawa,” said Ms. Bowerman.
The five-kilometre portion of the run/walk took place at 8 am. “Everyone who was taking part in this race started at the same time, so we joined families pushing young ones in strollers or families walking with young children,” continued Ms. Bowerman. “Leeanne and Peyton ran while Connie and I walked it.”
Ms. Bowerman explained, “when you are given your shirt and race tag before the race it contains a bar on the back which tracks your time.” She was happy to say that she and her daughter Connie walked it in 53 minutes.
“I think we would have had a better time but when we got to the Canadian Heroes Memory Lane Wall we stopped to take pictures of those were honouring,” said Ms. Bowerman. “The streets in Ottawa where the race took place had water stations, people waving banners of encouragement, and bands playing different types of music, including a Cadet band.”
“At the end of the race a military person gives you a dog tag, congratulates and thanks you for participating,” said Ms. Bowerman.
The memorial wall, including pictures of each of the 80 veterans honoured, had both Mr. Arnold and Mr. Byers on the wall. “Leeanne and Connie knew both of them and when they had asked their families if they could honour them at the event were very supportive,” said Ms. Bowerman.
The 16th annual Canada Army Run is hosted by the Canadian Army, BMO Bank of Montreal, along with sponsors, partners, supporters and volunteers.
“I sincerely thank you for joining us and supporting our military community,” said Major Lesley Quinlan, Canada Army Run Director in a release. “This year, we have once again received incredible support through you the participants. I truly thank all of you who have worked hard to raise much-needed funds to support Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans and their families through our charitable causes, Support Our Troops and Soldier On.”
“Canada Army Run is far from an ordinary race; it is an opportunity to show your support to the military by raising funds that will directly impact the lives of ill and injured soldiers, veterans, and their families. Since the inception of Canada Army Run, $4.5 million has been raised in support of our charitable causes, and we’re excited to watch that number soar even higher this year while we’re also enjoying a fun challenge that will take us through the scenic streets of Ottawa.”
