Remembering the Isfelds

Master Corporal Mark Isfeld was a peacekeeper in Croatia in 1994 when he was killed at age 31 while clearing a minefield. He, like other Canadian Armed Forces peacekeepers, earned the gratitude of our nation. We remember their contributions and sacrifices in many ways:

• The Seventh Book of Remembrance is housed in the Peace Tower at the Parliament Buildings, to honour all those who died in the service of peace. See Mark Isfeld’s name in the page below.
• August 9 is known as National Peacekeepers' Day in Canada. On that day in 1974, nine Canadians were killed while serving with the United Nations Emergency Force II in the Middle East. It was the most lives our country ever lost in a single incident during a peacekeeping mission.
• At Peacekeeper Park in Calgary, Alberta, a Wall of Honour commemorates the sacrifice of 119 Canadian peacekeepers who lost their lives in service. Their names are inscribed on this memorial, Including Mark Isfeld.
• A bronze sculpture is also part of Peacekeeper Park in Calgary. It depicts a Canadian soldier offering an "Izzy" doll to a little girl, symbolizing the humanitarian efforts of the Canadian Armed Forces. Izzy Dolls originated during Mark Isfeld’s peacekeeping tours in Kuwait and Croatia. Isfeld, nicknamed “Izzy,” gave out little dolls crocheted by his mother to bring a smile to local children. After Mark was killed, his mother, with a lot of help from her friends, honoured his memory by continuing to knit the Izzy dolls to be given out by other Canadian Armed Forces members. The great tradition begun by the Isfelds continues today.
• Mark. R. Isfeld Secondary School is located in Courtenay, British Columbia.
• Three German Shepherd mine detection dogs (part of ‘Canine Demine,’ a program with the Canadian Landmine Foundation) were named Brian, Carol and Izzy in honour of Mark and his parents.
• A cleared minefield has been named in Mark Isfeld’s honour near where he was killed.This Croatian mine action project was vital to the safety of the men, women and children who live in the area.