Veterans and Silver Cross Mothers gathered at Peacekeepers for Angus' first Buddy Check Coffee—A Veteran run program offering comradeship in a relaxed environment, allowing for networking and sharing of experiences and stories.
Over 40 Veterans gathered at the beautiful Peacekeepers Park in Angus, ON for District E Ontario Command’s first Buddy Check Coffee, in conjunction with the BSO/OSI Legion Special Section.
Buddy Check Coffee is a Veteran run program offering comradeship in a relaxed environment, allowing for networking and sharing of experiences and stories.
Three Silver Cross Mothers and the Honorary Colonel of the Military Police Academy, whose sons paid the ultimate sacrifice for our Country, also joined the Veterans at the event.
From left to right: Honourary LCol of the Military Police Academy Nancy Siew, Darlene Cushman, Kathleen Smith, and Anna Loveman. All four women's sons were CAF members who died while serving their country.
It was a day filled with physically distant coffee and conversation—Veterans enjoyed connecting with one another and feeling a sense of community. Fern Taillefer, President of the Peacekeepers Association, provided a detailed tour to the attendees who wanted to know more about the park. Silver Cross Mother Anna Loveman brought the Canadian Heroes Foundation #14 car and Kerri-Lynn Tadeau, responsible for starting the Highway of Heroes ramp clean-up, brought the Highway of Heroes Memorial for all to see.
The day was a huge success with Provincial Service Officer Sherry Culling even providing assistance to three of the Veterans in attendance.
District E is committed to making this an annual event with many other projects in the works for the coming year in support of Canada’s Veterans.
Want to host a Buddy Check Coffee in your community?
The program is currently looking for coordinators to start Buddy Check Coffee in communities across Canada.
Program coordinators must be a Canadian Armed Forces or RCMP Veteran (retired or still serving), have or be willing to take the Mental Health First Aid Course for Veterans, and be a Legion member with membership in BSO Legion OSI (free for Legion members).
If you are interested please reach out to Chris or Joe: chris.richardson@bsovetsosi.com | joe.elliott@bsovetsosi.com