Open Category > Departed Comrades - Afghanistan

2008, Dec 26, Private Michael Bruce Freeman, 3RCR, Afghanistan

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Mike Blais:


Private Michael Freeman was killed and three other soldiers were injured when their armoured vehicle was struck by an explosion in Zharey District about 12:45 p.m. Kandahar time, December 26, 2008. Private Freeman had been on his first tour of Afghanistan. Known as “Chewie” to his peers – he was described as a well-liked member of his platoon. Private Freeman was an avid golfer who loved the game so much that he created his own driving range on the forward-operating base where he was stationed.

Mike Blais:

'When it's my time, it's my time'

Family finding 'new normal' a year after soldier's death

By FIONA ISAACSON, QMI AGENCY

Last Updated: 4th January 2010, 3:22am

PETERBOROUGH, Ont. -- As her parents shared memories of their son, Kelly Freeman opened her laptop, clicked on a video and there was her brother Michael hitting golf balls in Afghanistan, with a big smile.

Although he only golfed maybe twice a year, his parents said, Michael's strong swing sent the balls off the wall of the base and into the desert to be caught or picked up by Afghan children.

It's a scene that was reported often after his death.

But here was Pte. Michael Bruce Freeman first smiling for the camera and then heard laughing as he encouraged an Afghan interpreter practising his amateur golf swing.

The laughter continues as Afghan children come to the wall of the base and throw the golf balls to the soldiers in return for candy, water bottles and even granola bars.

SELF-PORTRAITS

Kelly's laptop has hundreds of photos her brother took in Afghanistan; some are self-portraits of the smiling and happy 28-year-old.

He shared the photos with his family during a three-week leave before he returned to Afghanistan on Dec. 11, 2008.

It was the last time father Mark, mother Gail and sister Kelly saw Michael before his armoured vehicle struck a roadside bomb on Dec. 26, 2008.

It's now been just over a year since they lost Michael, who was based in Petawawa, Ont., with November Company, 3rd Battalion, the Royal Canadian Regiment.

Some days are harder than others.

Gail says she thinks about her son every night when she goes to bed.

The Freemans are part of a small group of 138 families in Canada who know how it feels to lose a son or daughter in Afghanistan.

Michael was the 104th soldier to die since the Afghan mission started in 2002.

Those other military families know what it feels like to put on a brave face when their son or daughter leaves for Afghanistan but break down, as Gail did, when they get home.

They're slowly trying to get life back to "normal," but Mark says it's a "new normal" without their son.

Michael was easygoing, always smiling, loved challenges and would never let things get in his way, his parents said.

The Freemans said many people still aren't sure how to act and shy away from talking about Michael. But they want people to ask about their son.

"The peace that I get is when we're talking about him," Gail said.

Before Christmas, the family spent time with some of Michael's friends and heard some stories for the first time.

"Any little bit of information -- you grasp on to that," Mark said.

A large official picture of Michael in his green military uniform sits on top of a fireplace in the family room in the basement. A smaller photo shows Michael armed and sitting on the ground with his trademark smile.

Gail has a blanket imprinted with her son's military photo that she can wrap herself in. It was a gift from her co-workers.

The Freemans have Canadian and red Support Our Troops flags at half-mast in front of their home.

Joining the Canadian Forces was a passion for Michael ever since he was a child.

He was an air cadet with the 534 (Peterborough) Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron. He joined the Canadian Forces military in 2003 hoping to eventually transfer to the air force.

Gail and Mark said they didn't approve of Michael joining the Forces but supported him because it was what he wanted to do.

"The military was it for him. I've never seen him so happy," Gail said.

Gail is thankful they had time with Michael when he was home on leave. But she still struggles to understand why he told her then: "When it's my time, it's my time."

Mark says the media doesn't do enough reporting on the good work Canadian soldiers are doing in Afghanistan.

The soldiers are helping make things better, especially for the younger generation, Mark said. It's that generation of children whose happy faces are captured on Michael's video when they're exchanging the golf balls.

LEND SUPPORT

Since Michael's death, Gail, Kelly and, when work allows, Mark have gone to CFB Trenton, Ont., several times to watch the repatriation of other soldiers and have watched the procession from a bridge in Port Hope when their bodies are driven down the Highway of Heroes.

"We just feel we want to return the favour that they did for us," Gail said.

They were at CFB Trenton yesterday for the repatriation of the four soldiers and Calgary journalist killed Dec. 30.

The Freemans have also become involved with raising money for care packages for soldiers overseas.

Cor Oostrom:

Thank's Mike for putting this article on, it's good reading.


Cor.

bjmaclean:
Great reading. It is very heart warming to hear of Pte Freeman's family continuing to support and honour our fallen comrads.
My respect and thanks to them for this deed.

Mike Blais:

Trenton Trentonian

Handcrafted canoe donated to carry fallen soldier’s memory
The 15.4 foot-long cedar rib canoe to be auctioned off as a means to raise funds to support MFRC programs.

Posted By Jerome Lessard - The Trentonian

Pte. Michael Freeman s sacrifice will never be forgotten – thanks to a significant donation made to the MFRC in Trenton Monday, March 29. Foxboro craftsman Tom Bailey decided to handcraft a 15.4 foot-long cedar rib canoe in honour of the fallen soldier, which will be auctioned off as a means to raise funds to support for MFRC programs.

Pte. Michael Freeman loved the great Canadian outdoors.

The Peterborough native loved the Kawartha region; loved fishing and canoeing.

Freeman would never see the network of lakes and rivers again after being deployed to Afghanistan with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment.

Tragically, the 28-year-old soldier stepped on an improvised explosive device on Dec. 26, 2008 while on patrol in the Zharey District.

But Freeman's sacrifice will never be forgotten – thanks to a significant donation made to the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) in Trenton Monday.

Following his nephew's death, Foxboro craftsman Tom Bailey decided to handcraft a 15.4 foot-long cedar rib canoe in honour of "michael's dedication to the military."

"I wanted to give something back to the mIlitary family that Michael loved so much, ''said Bailey, during a presentation of the canoe to the MFRC.

Freeman's parents  Mark and Gail, and sister Kelly, were at the presentation.

Bailey has donated the unique handcrafted gift to the MFRC to be auctioned off as a means to raise funds to support MFRC programs.

Bidding is open to the public across Canada beginning on Thursday, closing at the Invisible Ribbon Gala on Saturday, May 1 at 9 p.m..

Mark and Gail Freeman, of  Peterborough could not hold back their tears . They were looking at a 8X12 military portrait of their son. The photo was set on a tablewith two Canadian flags, displayed directly in front of the canoe.

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"When Tom started working on the project we didn't know he was doing it in honour of Michael," said Mark. "He [Michael] loved to fish and canoe. It is so thoughtful and represents what outdoor sports and nature meant to our son."

Freeman said the decision to donate the canoe to the MFRC came naturally.

"CFB Trenton is the closest air base to Peterborough and the people here at the MFRC helped us out so much when Michael died," said Freeman. "We attended last year's Invisible Ribbon Gala. Without them it would have been even harder for our family to go through this tragedy."

Showing the serial number #122608MBF020 under the bow deck. "It was Michael's last day on earth,'' said his father.

Dianne Campbell, co-chair of the Invisible Ribbon Gala, accepted the donation on behalf of the MFRC.

"It is an honour to recieve the canoe for the auction," said Campbell. "I want to welcome Mark, Gail, and Kelly and thank them for their tremendous support. It is such a great way to remember a hero, a man who sacrificed so much for our country."

Those interested in bidding on the $4,500 canoe, can contact Jaimie Corriveau at 613-955-8711 or by email at jcorriveau@cogeco.net and visit www.trentonMFRC.cfbtrenton.com to follow the bidding.

Bid can also be mailed to Trenton MFRC, P.O. Box 100, Station Forces, Astra, (Ont.), K0K 3W0 (Att: Canoe Auction), or dropped off at the MFRC reception desk at 50 Rivers Drive East in Trenton.

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