PETEWAWA, ONTARIO -
On June 30 Master Corporal Denis Leduc will be receiving a commendation from the Chief of Defence Staff for his heroic efforts while on deployment in Afghanistan.
MCpl Leduc was part of a special group called the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) responsible for teaching the Afghan Army and Afghan National Police.
In information provided by his wife Mandy Leduc (nee Hancock of Joe Batt's Arm, Fogo Island), the team her husband was part of was "always in danger and always in the thick of things."
One incident in particular occurred at a location that cannot be revealed due to security reasons, when the OMLT came under heavy attack by gunfire and mortars, injuring several people.
"Denis ran out under fire and was able to administer medical attention to an individual with very traumatic injuries resulting in saving this persons life," Ms. Leduc wrote in an email to the Pilot.
In the message from the Governor General for the commendation it was stated, ". . . for selfless, courageous actions under sustained enemy fire. He left cover to provide first aid and bring the injured soldier to the casualty collection point, 28 Feb 08, Joint Task Force."
Ms. Leduc noted, "He is a true everyday hero, and I am so proud to be his wife."
The Leduc's children share the same pride. His seven-year-old daughter Erin said once to another child after her father returned from spending three-and-a-half months in Haiti, "Even though my Daddy is gone away a lot, he is helping people smile that have probably never smiled, so its okay if I have to share him."
Ms. Leduc thanks her parents Brian and Donna Hancock of Joe Batt's Arm for their constant support.
"They flew to Edmonton to welcome Denis back from Afghanistan and showed so much support while he was there and trust me there were a few close calls when I would call my mother at 2 or 3 in the morning after talking to Denis and having our phone call cut off due to rocket and mortar attacks, not knowing if or when I would talk to him again," wrote Ms. Leduc. "But she would always reassure me and was that soft voice I needed to hear."
Both Ms. Leduc - who served in the military first in the infantry and then as a medic and is now finishing her nursing degree to become a nursing officer - and her husband have experienced losing friends on tour and have attended several funerals. Again, family support is crucial in those difficult times.
"We are quite blessed to have the love and support of my family in what we do for our country," wrote Ms. Leduc.
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