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tan can play hocke: make me the happiest soldier ev, Warrant Officer Thanks so much. Warrant Officer A. Mark Kendall Mark proudly shows off the hockey sweater sent to Afghanistan by members of the Port Perry Minor Hockey Association, and the letter he sent home to the team. Sweater sent to Afghanistan by local lads A local Ontario youth hockey team showed their support for the Canadian troops recently, by sending a signed hockey jersey to a Canadian soldier from the town of Port Perry, located 50 miles east of Toronto. This Atom aged team from the Port Perry Minor Hockey Association sent the jersey to Warrant Officer Mark Kendall, who is currently serving with the Regional Command South Headquarters in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Mark has been in Afghanistan since early December. The hockey team sent the jersey to Mark to show their support for the soldiers cur- rently serving in Afghanistan. “I was so touched by this patriotic gesture of kindness from such a thoughtful group of young men,” he said. “It has been an experience of a life- time serving here in Afghanistan. I’m glad | had the chance to help and to be part of this team.” Ina letter back to the hockey team, Mark wrote of the imp ‘k and sport: manship meant to the Canadian Soldiers serving in Afghanistan. He explained even though the soldiers are far away from home, hockey is alive and well in Afghanistan, by the ball hockey league that runs on the Kandahar base. Mark also wrote the team that their jersey would be framed and hung in a prominent location inside the New Canada House for all to see. “Canada House is the place where soldiers go to relax, talk, and of course, watch a lot of hockey there,” said Mark. Local Port Perry businesswoman and hockey mom, Lorraine McNulty spearheaded the shirt-signing project. Lorraine is the owner of Maple Moon Web Design Inc. sponsor of the team. She explained how she bought two jerseys, one for the troops and one for her chosen team MVP for this year. Lorraine stated how thrilled she was of her team for participating in the venture and how proud she was to be (nearly) Canadian. She also stated how supportive she was of the troops. Mark, (Warrant Officer Mark Kendall) is due to arrive back in Canada around mid- June and says, “thanking these boys in person is my top priority along with a game of road hockey with them.” Newspaper article reprinted with permission of Larry and Doreen Kendall. Serving Port Perry, Uxbridge & Surrounding Area ¢ Windows ¢ Doors ¢ Siding ¢ Sunrooms 182 North Port Plaza, Unit #7 - Reach St. at North Port Rd. WINDOW STORE 905-985-6665 For Alt VourWindaw Needs website: www.focusonscugog.com FOCUS - JUNE 2008 33 JUNE FOCUS/44 pages.indd 38 ® 5726108 9:04:29 AM |