Recollections on Remembrance Day
On November 11th, Canadians from coast to coast will come together to recognize the sacrifices of those who fought and died to make our world a safer place and thank the brave men and women who serve to protect our freedoms today.
At Royal Containers, Remembrance Day is especially poignant as we honour the people in our own lives who, thanks to their courage and sacrifice, help make Canada a nation that is envied the world over.
Kim Nelson, President & CEO of Royal Containers, reflects on two members of her family who served in World War II, at a time when going off to war was considered a great adventure. Canadian soldiers were sent off with marching bands and cheering crowds at the train station before being shipped overseas.
Among those brave men were two of Kim’s father’s brothers, Willard and Keith. Unfortunately, only Uncle Willard came home.
Uncle Keith died in France and was buried in Flanders Fields, alongside thousands of others who put their sense of duty before their own dreams and ambitions. Kim’s family still cherishes the letters her grandmother received from the Canadian Department of Defense and Buckingham Palace, informing her of his death and commemorating his memory.
The Royal Containers family also remembers their colleague Derek Mitchell, who served with the British Army before joining Royal Containers in 1978.
“Derek was loved by everyone here,” Kim says. “He recognized how lucky we all are for living in a country like Canada, and never took the freedoms we have for granted. As a veteran, he organized Remembrance Day ceremonies and the annual poppy drive for the Brampton Legion. Sadly, he passed away in 2016, but we think of him often, and especially at this time of year.”
Remembrance Day also gives us an opportunity to show gratitude to the dedicated men and women currently serving in our Armed Forces, who face challenges and situations many of us couldn’t dream of.
“Two of my running and athletic club teammates are active in the military,” Kim says. “They’re a married couple who are dedicated to preserving and protecting our way of life.”
After obtaining a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) from Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario, Lieutenant-Colonel Jill Bishop has spent her storied military career using her aerospace engineering expertise to support the tactical aviation community. Her operational experience is highlighted by a 2008 technical assistance visit to Kandahar, Afghanistan, followed by a tour in Kandahar as the Air Wing A4 Maintenance from March to November 2009. Most recently, she was a Commanding Officer of 400 Tactical Helicopter Squadron from 2015 to 2018 and currently serves as Deputy Commander of Canada’s contribution to the United Nations in Gao, Mali, Africa.
Her husband, Colonel Timothy Bishop OMM, MSM, CD, is Chief of Staff (Operations) of the Ministerial Liaison Team, and Commander of the Canadian Armed Forces Joint Counter Explosive Threat Task Force in Baghdad, Iraq. His elite-level knowledge and expertise in ammunition and artillery have led to several high-profile command positions in Cyprus, the Middle East, Bosnia Herzegovina, and Afghanistan. He is a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, was appointed to the Order of Military Merit as an officer in 2015, and continues to demonstrate leadership through his current command post in Iraq.
The team at Royal Containers will always remember the heroes who are no longer with us and those who continue to serve. We thank and honour them for the sacrifices they make, whether they serve in the military, as peacekeepers, or foreign aid workers who share Canadian values across the globe, and protect us here at home.
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