Pride of Being a Veteran
Mr. MacDonald expresses his reluctance to participate in Remembrance Day yet how his service reinforced his pride of being a Veteran.
Ross MacDonald
First name
Ross
Last name
MacDonald
Gender
M
City
Peterborough
Province
Ontario
Biography
Mr. Ross MacDonald was born April 4, 1967 in Peterborough, Ontario. His parents immigrated from the United Kingdom to Canada in 1960. After graduating from high school, Ross tried the college life, but because of his interest in the outdoors and strong involvement in sports he decided to join the army. At age 20, he joined the Canadian Armed Forces in Petawawa, Ontario joining 3 Royal Canadian Regiment. As part of his training, Mr. MacDonald travelled and lived in Germany for two years. In 1992, Mr. MacDonald joined 3 RCR November Company Group on a tour to Sarajevo to provide humanitarian aid and supplies to the besieged city. Because of his service, Mr. MacDonald was awarded the Commander-in-Chief Commendation. Due to medical release, Mr. MacDonald left the military, but continued to work with the soldiers needing support under the OSSIS program, a government position he holds today.
People old ID
583
People Language
E
Coming Back Home to Family
Mr. MacDonald shares his story about the difficulty returning to family life again.
Medical Release from Service
Mr. MacDonald relates his personal experiences of service resulting in a medical release from the forces. A choice he did not want to make.
Peacekeeper vs. Peacemaker
Mr. MacDonald explains the difference for a soldier as a peacekeeper and peacemaker.
My Greatest Accomplishment
Mr. MacDonald describes the pride for the work done, getting through the first night, “baptism by fire”.
A Walking Target
Mr. MacDonald explains the responsibility of a peacekeeper and the level of protection provided.
Hearing the Snap of a Bullet
As a peacekeeper, Mr. MacDonald describes his experiences under the rules of engagement and the inability to fire back.
Difference between Day and Night
Mr. MacDonald explains the difference between day and night in the city where people go about their business in daylight and as dusk falls the changes and battles begin causing horrific destruction.
Civilians being Targeted
During checkpoint duty at the PTT building, Mr. MacDonald describes the sights of civilians being targeted by snipers while walking down the sidewalks and the challenges they faced each day.
First Night in Sarajevo
Mr. MacDonald speaks about the explosion and sights of tracer fire that rained down upon them the first night in Sarajevo, witnessing the aftermath of destruction, and dead bodies around the city the next morning.