Remembrance Day Highlights Untold Stories of Military Valor

As Remembrance Day approaches, it serves as an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by military personnel and to honor those who have served. While many people focus on the war dead and the severely injured, some stories of valor remain untold, revealing the profound impact of military service on individuals and their families.

One active service member, who chose to remain anonymous, emphasized the importance of recognizing the dedication of those who serve. “There’s a lot of attention paid to the war dead and to those who were gravely injured in major conflicts. The World Wars and other major armed conflicts like Korea and Afghanistan tend to get mentioned, but a lot fewer people consider the dedication and valor of people who serve or have served in our military and come away forever changed,” he stated.

Robert Cookson’s Story of Service

Among those who embody this sentiment is Robert Cookson, who dedicated 35 years to the Canadian Armed Forces and retired as a Chief Petty Officer, 1st Class. Cookson’s experiences illustrate the challenges and dangers faced by military personnel, which often go unrecognized.

In 1990, Cookson was part of the first group of soldiers deployed to Honduras. Their mission involved disarming insurgent forces emerging from the hills. “We were unarmed, but luckily the other nations who were there with us, like the Colombians, were armed,” he recalled. “There were a few skirmishes as these men came down from the hills because communication was bad and some of them didn’t know that things were ending.” Despite the risks, this critical mission is seldom mentioned in discussions about Canadian military involvement.

Another significant episode in Cookson’s career occurred on January 13, 2003, when he served as Coxswain on the HMCS Ottawa. The ship was escorting the submarine HMCS Victoria approximately 200 nautical miles off the Baja Peninsula when a major fire broke out in the engine room. “There were 241 people on the ship,” Cookson noted. “We had just finished training workups to test the ship’s readiness for deployment when the fire happened.”

Fire crews battled the flames under extreme conditions, facing thick smoke that limited visibility. Cookson credited Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Sydney Smith for his leadership during the crisis. “He probably saved the ship that night,” Cookson said, highlighting the bravery displayed by the crew. Official reports may describe the event as a minor incident, stating, “Due to leadership and firefighting efforts, the ship was underway again in a normal engineering mode within two hours.” Yet, the true nature of that night remains known only to those who were there.

The Personal Cost of Service

Cookson’s experiences extend beyond his own service. His wife, Darlene Cookson, was part of the first group of Canadians deployed to Afghanistan. Although her official deployment lasted six months, the reality was much more challenging. “What people don’t realize is that she was away from me and our two kids for a year and a half,” he explained. Darlene underwent nine months of training before being sent to Afghanistan, leaving her family during critical times.

“I was at home with the kids, and we didn’t get to talk to her very often,” Cookson said. “I knew she was going out with convoys and hanging out of the top of Humvees with a .50-calibre machine gun, so, yes, I was always worried.” Darlene’s experiences in Afghanistan have left lasting effects on her. Cookson remarked, “Even today, she can’t sit with her back to the room in a restaurant, and she hates crowds.” These reactions are not uncommon among veterans and their families.

Cookson himself has also grappled with the mental scars of his service. He recounted how the silence that follows a power failure still triggers a response in him. “On ship, when something goes wrong, like a fire, they turn off the ventilation system and that background hum disappears. That’s when you know there’s a problem,” he explained. “Even now, a power failure will wake me at home, and getting back to sleep can take a while.”

These narratives highlight the often overlooked aspects of military service and the personal sacrifices made by service members and their families. As the Last Post bugle call resonates on Remembrance Day, it is essential to consider the broader stories of valor that accompany the official commemorations, reminding us of the lasting impact of service beyond the battlefield.