For the love of a son... and country

Vermont St. family wonder who stole flag dedicated to son fighting in Afghanistan

 

By Bob Stewart

 

It happened some time between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. on August 22—while Ann and Jim Marchand were asleep, and while their son Cpl. Shawn Marchand, was fighting with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan.

                  A large Canadian flag and a large yellow ribbon—symbolizing a family and a community's hopes of a safe return for a soldier—were torn down from a tree in the Marchand family front yard in the 200 block of Vermont Street.

                  The sturdy wire used to affix a brass flag pole to the tree had been carefully untied. The brass flag pole itself was damaged beyond repair. The yellow ribbon was found in tatters on the ground. And the flag?

                  The flag was gone. 

                  "How can somebody not know what the yellow ribbon stands for," said  a tearful Ann Marchand, sitting at her kitchen table, with a stack of photos of her son's most recent tour of duty in Afghanistan.

                  Although the incident happened over six weeks ago, it is only now, after encouragement from her neighbours, that she feels she is able to talk about the story publically.

                  The LaSalle Police visited the Marchand home the day of the incident. All they could say is the act of vandalizing the property and stealing the flag may have been done out of someone's opposition to the war.

                  "I'm not for the war," said Marchand. "I'm just someone who supports our troops.

                  "It's not so much that they stole the flag," she said. It's the reason behind why I put it up there that's so upsetting."

                  Hoping to send a message to those responsible for stealing the flag, Marchand wrote a note and put it on the tree with a new yellow ribbon.

                  The note hopes that whoever has the flag hangs it with pride and adds: "(I) hope your parents are proud of your choice of career... THIEF." 

 

Home for now

                  Having recently returned to Canada from his seven-month tour in Afghanistan, Cpl. Marchand, 22, a Sandwich Secondary grad, is in Edmonton with the his regiment, the 1st Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

                  The Marchands are happy he is on home soil and hope to see him at Christmas.

                  Ann Marchand said her son—who had two friends killed during his recent tour of duty—is hoping to return to Afghanistan.

                  "Do I want him to go back?" she said. "No." 

                  See more photos from Cpl. Shawn Marchand's tour of duty on page 4.

 

Caesars Windsor goes 'pink' for October

$25,000 donation made to Canadian Cancer Society

 

                  In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Caesars Windsor launched a property-wide awareness campaign for patrons and employees with a donation of $25,000 to the Canadian Cancer Society in order to help fund breast cancer research.

                  "We are proud to partner with the Canadian Cancer Society and thrilled that our donation will help support the fight for a cure," said president and CEO Kevin Laforet.

                   "The goal of the campaign is to encourage cancer awareness by promoting early detection and preventative measures."

                  For the first time ever, four blackjack tables have been branded with pink felt and the breast cancer ribbon logo.

                  Caesars Windsor is also introducing a commemorative $5 breast cancer gaming chip that will be put into circulation in support of the campaign.

                  Caesars Windsor will also be promoting breast cancer awareness by providing employees and patrons with a variety of initiatives including information about early detection and prevention, healthy eating practices, and much more.

 

'Pink' food specials

                  The campaign also includes a pink ribbon distribution, pink exterior lighting and 'pink' food specials in the restaurants.

                  "We are thrilled that Caesars Windsor has joined the fight against breast cancer," said Canadian Cancer Society Essex County Unit manager Judy Lund.

                  "Through this campaign, we are working together to outsmart breast cancer by educating women about early detection of the disease through mammography."