Field of Crosses

2 hours ago

𝐆𝐎𝐃𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐃, 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚 𝐌𝐒𝐌 𝐒𝐌
Age: 26– Capt RCHA
Date of Death: 05/17/1946

Captain Nichola Goddard was the first female Canadian combat soldier killed in action while on Canadian operations in Afghanistan.

Born to British and Canadian school teachers in Madang, Papua New Guinea, Goddard spent most of her childhood in various locations before the family returned to Canada. She attended junior high in Edmonton, Alberta, and high school in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. She completed four years at the Royal Military Collage in Kinston, Ontario, graduating as a trained artillery officer and posted to the 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.

Captain Goddard was deployed to Afghanistan in January 2006 as a Forward Observation Officer. She was the first woman to lead Canadian soldiers into combat, and the first Canadian to order artillery fire on an enemy since the Korean war.
During a two-day joint operation between Candain and Afghan National Army troops in the Panjwai District of Afghanistan, to secure Kandahar’s outskirts, intelligence reports indicted a Taliban assault on the city. Captain Goddard, 26, was killed on May 17, 2006. As a crew commander, she was partially exposed in her LAV III, which was hit by 2 rocket-propelled grenades early in the battle.

Captain Nichola Goddard was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) and the Sacrifice Medal (SM).

A school was named after her, ‘Captain Nichola Goddard School’ in Calgary, Alberta and a patrol vessel ‘Canadian Coast Guard Ship Captain Goddard M.S.M.’

Each November during the Eleven Days of Remembrance in Calgary, Alberta, the Field of Crosses commemorates Captain Nichola Goddard.

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Field of Crosses

1 week ago

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Field of Crosses.

Today we honour the mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures whose love, strength, and sacrifices have helped shape families, communities, and generations.

Wishing you a peaceful day filled with love, remembrance, and gratitude. ... See MoreSee Less

Field of Crosses

1 week ago

Proud to share this special Sponsor Spotlight from Valour on the Green

To the anonymous donors who chose to give quietly in support of our Veteran community, thank you. Your generosity means more than you know. 🇨🇦

Visit their page to learn more about the individuals and organizations generously contributing to this year’s fundraising efforts.🇨🇦 Sponsor Spotlight 🇨🇦

Today, we want to take a moment to recognize something we don’t always speak to enough, the impact of our Anonymous Donors.

While planning the 2nd Annual Valour on the Green, two generous individuals chose to give quietly, without recognition, simply because they believe in supporting our Veteran community. Together, these two individuals sponsored two veteran teams, helping make their participation possible.

It takes a special kind of person to step forward in that way, to give not for acknowledgment, but out of genuine care, humility, and a belief in something bigger than themselves.

While their names may not be known, their impact is deeply felt.

Their generosity has helped create space for connection, camaraderie, and honour, while also helping raise vital funds to support Field of Crosses and Paws 4 Resiliency, two organizations committed to honoring the fallen and promoting healing for Veterans and their families.

To our Anonymous Donors, thank you for standing behind this mission. Your support, given quietly, continues to make a lasting difference. ❤️

#operationGenerosity #RedShirtFriday #CommunityStrong #ValourOnTheGreen #FieldofCrosses #Paws4Resiliency #Veterans #VeteranSupport #CanadianVeterans #Golf #MedicineHat #Support #GolfForACause #Canada #RememberTheFallen #HonourOurVeterans #VeteransRemembrance #LestWeForget #CommunityTribute #LegacyOfService #NeverForget #ServiceDogsForVeterans #PTSIRecovery #PostTraumaticStressInjury #VeteranWellness #HealingWithDogs #SupportOurVeterans ... See MoreSee Less

Field of Crosses

2 weeks ago

The Battle of the Atlantic is celebrated every year on the 1st Sunday of May.

The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous military campaign of WW2, lasting from September 3 1939 to May 8 1945. It was a pivotal fight for control over Atlantic shipping routes. The Allies worked to keep vital supply lines open between North America and Europe, while German forces aimed to cut them off. Canada played a key role through its navy and air force.

At the war’s onset the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) was relatively modest, comprising only a few vessels and personnel. However, recognizing the importance of the Atlantic convoys, Canada embarked on a rapid expansion of its naval capabilities. By the end of the war, the RCN had grown to be the third largest navy in the world, with over 400 vessels and 100,000 personnel.

Canadian warships escorted convoys across the North Atlantic waters. These escorts gave protection against German U-boats aiming to disrupt the flow of troops and supplies for the allied war effort. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) also involved, conducting aerial patrols to detect and deter U-boats enhancing the effectiveness of naval escorts.

The Battle of the Atlantic was costly for all sides. The RCN lost 24 warships and approximately 2,000 officers and sailors, along with 752 members of the RCAF. The Canadian Merchant Navy also faced significant losses, with 58 ships sunk and 1,100 merchant mariners losing their lives.

Allied forces had substantial losses, with over 3,500 merchant vessels and 175 warships sunk, resulting in the loss of 36,200 naval personnel and 36,000 merchant mariners. On Kriegsmarine lost 783 U-boats with approximately 30,000 U-boat crew members losing their lives.

By the end of the war, Allied navies had escorted a total of 25,343 merchant ships across the Atlantic.

Canada’s contributions to the Battle of the Atlantic helped secure Allied control over crucial North Atlantic Sea routes. The dedication and sacrifices of Canadian personnel ensured the continuous flow of supplies vital for Allied operations in Europe. The victory in the Battle of the Atlantic was a defining chapter in Canada’s military history. ... See MoreSee Less