Mrs. Doreen Coolen of Simms Settlement in Hubbards, Nova Scotia, was the 2002 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother. During the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa on November 11, 2002, she laid a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who have lost a child in military service to Canada.
On April 17, 2002, her only child, Private Richard Anthony Green, died as a result of a friendly fire incident in Afghanistan while on duty with the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
Mrs. Coolen, née Young, is a native of Halifax, Nova Scotia. She is the daughter of Elva and Cecil Young.
In 2002, Mrs. Coolen was accompanied to the national Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa by Michael McDonald, whom she considers to be Private Green’s foster father. She enjoys reading, gardening, camping, cooking and hunting in her spare time.