Peacekeeper vs. Peacemaker

Heroes Remember

Peacekeeper vs. Peacemaker

Transcript

I think the civilian’s view of what a peacekeeper is, it’s fairly true. We were usually very visible in a spot where there was no more fighting. But a peacemaker and it’s not even a proper terminology. It’s something that’s came out of when peacekeepers have to fight, now you’re a peacemaker and sometimes you would have to engage a belligerent force, to keep the peace or to start the peace. So you’d peace make, and then you’d become a peacekeeper or you’re a peacekeeper being shot at, now we have to go and make the peace. And it was kind of surreal and it wasn’t until, you know, later on as the Balkans kind of ebbed and flowed with the conflict and that there was times where we, you know, I think there was peacekeeper and then there was being a soldier, a combat soldier. Now society may call it peacemakers, but to me as a soldier I was just doing what I was always trained to do and sometimes we would have to engage a belligerent force to calm things down, but at the end of the day we went right back to being peacekeepers again. You know that was the neat thing is that we were able to put our blue hats back on with pride.

Description

Mr. MacDonald explains the difference for a soldier as a peacekeeper and peacemaker.

Ross MacDonald

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.

Meta Data