A Soldier's Wife

[David Ward]

KAROLINA HILLMAN
June 30, 1955 - February 27, 2010

It saddens me to inform the Regiment that my wife, Karolina, of 20 years has passed away at approimately 1512 hrs Pacific Time.
Karolina didn't know me when I was in the Army.  Thank God, for that.  I moved to Vancouver, BC in 1990 to sober up.  I went to a powwow practice that night when I saw her dance by.  She was the most beautiful women I saw.  I spent the next six months bugging her friends on how to say her name properly.  Most people would now call it stalking.  She accepted me for who I was.
I belong to the National Aboriginal Veterans Association and a proud retired member Of the Royal Canadian Regiment.  She called herself a proud Soldier's Wife.
She was proud, strong Traditional woman who knew who and what she was.  She taught me a lot and I'm going to miss my teacher.
She was taken to the hospital  January 20, 2010 for lupis and pnemonia.  Her liver started to fail and her kidneys failed.  in the end there were seven major systems that failed and so she was only surviving on life support.  My brothers, Jean-Luc and Bob stood by me to give her love and our strength.
Today at approximately 1430 hrs, I gave the hardest decision that a Soldier had to give and that she had to have the air tube and intravnice tubes taken out so she could her journey without morphine. It took all the stength that she taught me, as well as what Sgt Hennick and 6 Plt, to stand by and watch the person you loved go.  She opened her towards the last and looked at me.  I told her that she had to let go of me, Bob and Jean-Luc.  At 1512 hrs, she gave her last breath and the love and strength of my life left me.
A Soldier's Wife is a hard job, as we know.  They stand by us in war and peace time.  They make monuments and honour us for the job that we.  I think that there should be a monument for our wives and I'm not just saying this just because my Karolina left.  I've thought about whenever I see the wives and fiances say good bye when we left to do our duty. Some of them stand at the tarmac of Trenton when their loved ones are carried home.
Please says prayers for my wife, Karolina, as well as, yours.  Remember of the wives whose loved ones are overseas.  They need our Soldier's strength to do their job of being at home looking after our children and many other things that we would do when we're back home.
I wish to make a personal request.  Could every member please give his wife a hug and a kiss for me.  it would help me greatly.

PRO PATRIA
 

[Neil Reece]

My condolences Dave to you and your family.

Neil,

[David Ward]

Thanks, Neil.

[Gerry Connors]

I am so sorry Dave. My condolences and prayers Brother.

Pro Patria

[Gord Vaillancourt]

Dave, my thoughts are prayers are with you and your dear departed Karolina, may she " REST IN PEACE" my bother.
PRO PATRIA.

[ranrad]

My deepest sympathy for you and your family.. thank you for sharing.. and you have a good idea there to honor all wives in some way..may i offer a prayer for  her , and you , and all wives and partners..may they all rest with God...ranrad

[Mike Blais]

My condolences, Dave. Keep the faith, brother, she will always be with you. 

[Jerry Robertson]

David,
Karolina's journey to the creator has began now and you must remain strong as she would want you to carry on here and hold your head high in her memory. Be strong my brother.
Jerry Robertson

[Fred Doucette]

Dave
Sincere condolences to you and your family, you words on the strength of the women who love Soldiers is so true. Take care all the best.

[David Ward]

Well, it's been a week since we buried Karolina at Dog Creek Reserve.  Done in a traditional native way.  Beautiful day with slight wind.  See made sure i left my winter coats back in Vancouver including my combat coat.  I'll be put to the right side of her as the Regiment has always been to the right side to guard.  Having a powwow memorial this Tuesday.  As she would say PARTY TIME.  Will get a friend to send a couple of photos of the both of us.  Take care everyone and thank you for your support.

[bjmaclean]

Dave. You are a brave man to give your wife the start for her journey to the afterlife. I respect you for finding the courage to do the right thing. I hope that the pain of her passing goes away quickly as i expect she would not want you to suffer.

To a Soldier's Wife
Karolina, Pro patria.

[David Ward]

Thanks, BJ.  It's been a month.  I want to thank everyone for their support.  Everything is back to normal as much as can be. Just miss getting beat on or yelled at. So us soldiers have heard.  Take care everyone.