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Everyday Heroes: Inspirational Stories from Men and Women in the Canadian Armed Forces
In this moving collection of first-person accounts, the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces take us inside life in the military and share their personal stories of courage, perseverance, and sacrifice.
What does it mean to serve? Bestselling author Jody Mitic brings together veterans and active military personnel from across Canada to tell us, in their own words, what it means to answer the call of duty.
Meet the World War II bomb aimer whose plane engines failed over Hamburg during a raid, the naval signalman who patrolled heavily bombarded waters in Southeast Asia during the Korean War, and the unarmed peacekeeper who found himself standing on a road riddled with mines in Rwanda. From the young recruit who marched over thirty kilometres on what turned out to be a broken leg to prove her mettle, to the three brothers in arms who endured a summer of relentless fighting in Afghanistan, this collection captures the pain and sacrifice, the risks and rewards of standing on guard for Canada.
Featuring stories of courageous rescues, bravery in the face of conflict, and camaraderie at home and overseas, Everyday Heroes is an authentic and stirring look inside the hearts and minds of the men and women in the Canadian Armed Forces. These stories will make you proud to be a Canadian.
What does it mean to serve? Bestselling author Jody Mitic brings together veterans and active military personnel from across Canada to tell us, in their own words, what it means to answer the call of duty.
Meet the World War II bomb aimer whose plane engines failed over Hamburg during a raid, the naval signalman who patrolled heavily bombarded waters in Southeast Asia during the Korean War, and the unarmed peacekeeper who found himself standing on a road riddled with mines in Rwanda. From the young recruit who marched over thirty kilometres on what turned out to be a broken leg to prove her mettle, to the three brothers in arms who endured a summer of relentless fighting in Afghanistan, this collection captures the pain and sacrifice, the risks and rewards of standing on guard for Canada.
Featuring stories of courageous rescues, bravery in the face of conflict, and camaraderie at home and overseas, Everyday Heroes is an authentic and stirring look inside the hearts and minds of the men and women in the Canadian Armed Forces. These stories will make you proud to be a Canadian.
320 pages, Paperback
Published October 24, 2017
6 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 13, 2018
A collection of first person accounts of members of the Canadian forces ranging from World War II to present. People of various backgrounds and genders that served in the army, navy, and the air force. Since most Canadians know next to nothing(because our textbooks tend to focus more on the home front) about anything our men and women in uniform have done since 1945, this is an interesting and informative book.
January 2, 2018
There's nothing like hearing about epic moments in history when they are told by the heroes themselves. These are Canadian service people who never thought of themselves as heroes - probably still don't - and yet they show us how they handled the most difficult moments in their lives. Kudos to these people for their bravery, and for the courage to share it with us.
September 24, 2017
I would personally like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book. I would also like to show my appreciation to each member, present and past for dedicating yourself to serve our country in the name of freedom!
I am Canadian, so it was extremely pleasing to hear about our military personnel and their achievements through history and the roll Canada played it it! I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I found this book filled with dry humor ...full of personal stories of World War II, Vietnam and Afghanistan. These individuals go into the service - it seems at a relatively young age - and come out maybe a little old beyond their years, ...a little worn around the edges ...but maybe with the capacity to teach the next generation techniques for a new and more grittier warfare! I loved each and every story. Some of the stories hit me hard: the horror that befell the black American unit, the Korean war, surviving through typhoons, PTSD, Major Trevor Jains, M.D. and the Swiss Air crash and finally Mark Hoogendorn coming home.
I was not familiar with the Invictus Games before reading this book so it was interesting how many in this book participated in the games and how much personal achievement it brought to each and every person attending.
Each story was powerful in the telling. I found the book a bit dry in the beginning, but it built up in power, the stories got a bit more grittier and towards the end, you are ensnared in the book! I could not leave this book until I finished it! If you enjoy history and especially about World War II, Vietnam and most recently, Afghanistan you will enjoy this book! To the people in each of these chapters ...I hope you find your inner peace. It is well and truly deserved! You have my internal gratitude and thanks!!
I am Canadian, so it was extremely pleasing to hear about our military personnel and their achievements through history and the roll Canada played it it! I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I found this book filled with dry humor ...full of personal stories of World War II, Vietnam and Afghanistan. These individuals go into the service - it seems at a relatively young age - and come out maybe a little old beyond their years, ...a little worn around the edges ...but maybe with the capacity to teach the next generation techniques for a new and more grittier warfare! I loved each and every story. Some of the stories hit me hard: the horror that befell the black American unit, the Korean war, surviving through typhoons, PTSD, Major Trevor Jains, M.D. and the Swiss Air crash and finally Mark Hoogendorn coming home.
I was not familiar with the Invictus Games before reading this book so it was interesting how many in this book participated in the games and how much personal achievement it brought to each and every person attending.
Each story was powerful in the telling. I found the book a bit dry in the beginning, but it built up in power, the stories got a bit more grittier and towards the end, you are ensnared in the book! I could not leave this book until I finished it! If you enjoy history and especially about World War II, Vietnam and most recently, Afghanistan you will enjoy this book! To the people in each of these chapters ...I hope you find your inner peace. It is well and truly deserved! You have my internal gratitude and thanks!!
April 17, 2019
To the men and woman from each of these chapters, may they all find inner peace after serving their country so proudly throughout the years.
Stories like these told through first person accounts help non-military people to better understand and bring to life the pride behind our country's military heritage. It especially hits home when you personally know one of the young men who's story was featured amongst the pages of this book. Thank you for your service Corporal Justin Bronzan.
You did your country and your family proud.
The amount of personal sacrifice is clearly evident in these pages as was the courage, compassion, dedication and honour of so many Canadians dating back from the world wars right up until Afghanistan.
Would definitely hope to see this book and those similar to it, in all of our libraries across this big and beautiful country that we call Canada, our home sweet, peaceful, home.
4.5 🌟s from me and a recommendation to read it.
Stories like these told through first person accounts help non-military people to better understand and bring to life the pride behind our country's military heritage. It especially hits home when you personally know one of the young men who's story was featured amongst the pages of this book. Thank you for your service Corporal Justin Bronzan.
You did your country and your family proud.
The amount of personal sacrifice is clearly evident in these pages as was the courage, compassion, dedication and honour of so many Canadians dating back from the world wars right up until Afghanistan.
Would definitely hope to see this book and those similar to it, in all of our libraries across this big and beautiful country that we call Canada, our home sweet, peaceful, home.
4.5 🌟s from me and a recommendation to read it.
October 25, 2018
4.5 Stars! :) Great to read experiences of Canadians with patriotic hearts- to serve their country- and to help many people around the world.
January 21, 2018
Excellent! The book is comprised of several personal accounts of experiences of men and women in the Canadian Armed Forces during in various conflicts and situations from the 2nd war to the present time. Well written, moving and absorbing.
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August 14, 2019All Canadians, young & old, should read this book as a reminder of the sacrifices that go untold to keep our country the most amazing & safe country on Earth. Thank you to all CAF members, past & present.
November 21, 2017
Different forms of heroic.
November 22, 2017
War stories
Some of the best war stories I’ve read to date. Wish it could have been longer however that just make room for another book!
Some of the best war stories I’ve read to date. Wish it could have been longer however that just make room for another book!
December 5, 2017
A couple of these first person accounts gave me goosebumps. Highly recommended.
December 29, 2017
Well worth reading. Very helpful to a civilian to understand what military personnel go through. To anyone who has served in the CAF - thank you for your service.
December 8, 2017
We who serve.
January 11, 2018
I really enjoyed reading the stories of the brave men and women who served Canada. I found the book enlightening and down to earth. It gives an idea of what it is like for people in the military.
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March 22, 2018As an ex reservist I found this book very interesting. Not a book that would appeal to a non-militany person. Well written and informative
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2018
Truly an inspiring read. Few really realise, even us fellow Canadians, just how much Canada has done in theaters of war or conflict throughout the years
March 26, 2019
Makes you appreciate those that serve even more.
January 22, 2022
Grateful for this book and for the opportunity to read the accounts of those who serve(d) our nation in the most valiant of ways.
Sincerest thanks to all officers--past, present, and future--of the Canadian Armed Forces. Our freedom came/comes at the expense of your efforts and sacrifices, and the depth of my gratitude runs deep; You truly are heroes.
Sincerest thanks to all officers--past, present, and future--of the Canadian Armed Forces. Our freedom came/comes at the expense of your efforts and sacrifices, and the depth of my gratitude runs deep; You truly are heroes.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews