Ontario Woman Honored as National Silver Cross Mother

Nancy Payne is set to represent Canadian mothers as the national Silver Cross Mother during Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa on November 11. This event marks her first appearance at such a significant venue since her son, Cpl. Randy Joseph Payne, was killed in Afghanistan in 2006.

Background on Nancy Payne

Since 2006, Nancy has participated in local Remembrance Day events in Lansdowne, Ontario. Her husband, David Payne, a veteran of 30 years with the Canadian Armed Forces, usually attends ceremonies in nearby Gananoque. The couple often splits their attendance to engage more with their community.

Significance of the Silver Cross Mother

The title of national Silver Cross Mother is bestowed annually by the Royal Canadian Legion. This honor acknowledges the sacrifices made by mothers of soldiers who died in service to Canada.

Tragic Incident

Cpl. Randy Payne lost his life on April 22, 2006. He was serving on a close protection team, assigned to secure VIPs during his mission. At the time of his death, Randy was guarding Brig.-Gen. David Fraser, who had flown out the night before. The convoy was targeted by a roadside bomb that struck their armoured vehicle near Kandahar Airfield.

• Randy was one of four soldiers killed in this deadly explosion.
• This attack was the most lethal for Canadian forces in four years.
• He had only served two years in the Armed Forces as a Military Police officer before his death.

Nancy’s Reflections

This upcoming ceremony in Ottawa carries special meaning for Nancy. She expresses a mix of nerves and pride, explaining how humbled she feels to represent all mothers affected by the loss of their children in military service.

The events leading up to Remembrance Day are filled with emotion for Nancy, who acknowledges the challenging week ahead. “It’s quite an honor for sure,” she remarked. “I was very, very surprised, but very honored.”

Nancy Payne’s participation as the national Silver Cross Mother resonates with the sacrifices made by many families, honoring the memory of those who served and sacrificed their lives for Canada.