Montréal, Quebec
Mr. Farrell is a 25-year Canadian Forces Reservist and he is currently a member of the 34 Groupe-brigade du Canada (GBC) Military Band. Mr. Farrell has been actively involved with youth from the English Montréal School Board since 2003. This involvement spawned a writing award for the student who produced the best essay on multi-culturalism: The Master Corporal Russell Farrell Award for Multiculturalism. Mr. Farrell has also developed a PowerPoint presentation entitled Honour Before Glory, which provides a history of African-Canadian Veterans who served in Canada's Expeditionary Forces. This presentation was expanded to also include Aboriginal Veterans and ethnic peoples serving today in the Canadian Forces. Mr. Farrell has brought this presentation to more than 8,000 youth in 10 elementary and secondary schools since 2003. He has also developed lessons on Africville and youth remembrance. Mr. Farrell actively promotes his love of music and remembrance to youth from John Paul High School and others, where he speaks to youth aged 5 to 18 at more than six annual ceremonies in November, and 20 presentations in February. Mr. Farrell accompanies students to Montréal's annual Remembrance Day parade and has assisted students with writing campaigns to CF members overseas for the past five years.