Mrs. Doreen Coolen

The National Silver (Memorial) Cross Mother for 2002 is Mrs. Doreen Coolen of Simms Settlement in Hubbards, Nova Scotia. The National Silver Cross Mother is chosen annually by The Royal Canadian Legion to represent the mothers of Canada at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on 11 November. As the Silver Cross Mother she will lay a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who lost children in the military service of the nation.

Mrs. Coolen is the mother of the late Private Richard Anthony Green killed by friendly fire while on duty with the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) in Afghanistan in 2002. He was her only child. His tour with the battalion was his second overseas deployment as he had previously served with the unit on peacekeeping duties in Bosnia-Herzegovina. He joined the Canadian Forces in September 1998 and his unit in 1999. He was a qualified parachutist and a member of the battalion's jump company. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, and described as a polite young gentleman with a friendly disposition and quiet good-natured manner, he was a graduate of Forest Heights Community School in Chester Grant, Nova Scotia, who was active in baseball, soccer, hockey, reading and camping. He also enjoyed playing cribbage, computer games and reading.

Mrs. Coolen (née Young) is a native of Halifax, N.S. and is the daughter of Elva and Cecil Young. She will be accompanied to the ceremony in Ottawa by Michael McDonald whom she considers to be Pte Green's foster father. Mrs. Coolen enjoys reading, gardening, camping, cooking and hunting in her spare time.

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