Couture Crescent

Couture Crescent was dedicated in 2004.

The streets in Garrison Green were initially named after the places where Canadian troops had served on peacekeeping missions and were to be renamed to reflect Lincoln Park’s history as an airfield during the Second World War. The Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping's (CAVUNP) national president at the time, Colonel Don Ethell, objected. The Calgary chapter of CAVUNP proposed 16 Canadian peacekeepers names, of which 13 were chosen. Each street is named after a Canadian Peacekeeper, of varying ranks and service time frames. A summary of the Peacekeepers’ experiences is provided with a plaque placed on each street. Together they provide a comprehensive overview of Canadian peacekeeping missions and experiences from the 1950’s to 2000.

[street sign/panneau de rue]
COUTURE CRES

[plaque]
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ALAIN COUTURE
MB, CD

While on duty in southern Lebanon as an unarmed United Nations Military Observer, Major Alain Couture demonstrated
heroism under fire. Major Couture had been assigned to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), created
in 1978 to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and assist the Lebanese government in
restoring its authority in the region. On October 1, 1985, in the midst of a firefight between opposed Lebanese armed
factions, the veteran peacekeeper and trained artillery officer disregarded his own personal safety to rescue a
seriously wounded French officer. Major Couture used his belt as a tourniquet to staunch the injured man's bleeding
then constructed a small wall of stones to protect both men until UN forces could rescue them. For his outstanding
bravery, the Government of France awarded Couture the Order of National Merit and Canada decorated him with the
Medal of Bravery.

Later promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Couture served as a key planner for the successful deployment of NATO forces to
the Balkans and Canadian forces to UN missions in the Persian Gulf. He also served with UN missions in the Balkans,
Central America and Haiti.

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ALAIN COUTURE
MB, CD

En service au sud du Liban à titre d'observateur militaire sans armes des Nations Unies, le Major Alain Couture a fait
preuve d'héroïsme exceptionnel. Le Major Couture était alors affecté à la Force intérimaire des Nations Unies au Liban
(FINUL), créée en 1978 pour confirmer le retrait des forces israéliennes du sud du Liban et pour aider à rétablir
l'autorité du gouvernement libanais dans la région. Durant une fusillade entre des factions libanaises le 1er octobre 1985,
sans égarti à sa propre sécurité, ce Casque bleu chevronné et officier d'artillerie de formation sauva un officer français
grièvement blessé. Le Major Couture utilisa sa ceinture comme tourniquet pour étancher l'hémorragie du blessé, puis
construit un muret de pierres pour assurer leur protection jusqu'à ce que les Forces des Nations Unies viennent à leur
secours. Pour sa bravoure exceptionnelle, le gouvernement français décerné au Major Couture l'Ordre national du Mérite
et le Canada lui a décerné sa Médaille de Bravoure.

Prontu par la suite lieutenant colonel, il a joué un rôle important dans la planification du déploiement des forces de
l'OTAN dans les Balkans et des Forces canadiennes lors de missions des Nations Unies dans le golfe Persique. Le
Lieutenant Colonel Couture a également participé à des missions des Nations Unies aux Balkan en Amérique centrale
et en Haïti.

Canada's Peacekeeping Heroes
Les héros candiens du maintien de la paix

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