The wife of a Canadian infantry soldier is producing a CD/DVD to benefit troops there.
(OTTAWA, Canada) - The wife of a Canadian soldier who served recently in Afghanistan has created a video that tells the story of her husband's deployment or "rotation" through her eyes; one of great concern and immense pride.
Mandi Kostiuk-Hein's husband is Canadian Army Corporal Dwayne Hein. Many Americans may not realize the severe toll the war in Afghanistan has taken on both the Canadian and British military forces.
Hein says this video is a Canadian first, "As it tells both sides of the story you have the family side of how we endured a tour and the soldier's side of how he felt about his tour in Afghanistan.
She says during her husband's tour of duty in Afghanistan from January 1st through August 1st, a picture began to take form that changed the way they see the war there.
"Canadians started waking up to the fact of what was going on in Afghanistan as we lost more Canadian Soldiers. 18 brave Canadian soldiers were lost during my husband's first combat tour."
She says that her family is preparing now for Dwayne's next combat tour in Afghanistan. As a volunteer infantry soldier, and once again the months of waiting will begin as they nervously monitor news reports while her husband once again, lives beyond the wire in in forward operating base.
Cpl Hein, wife Mandi Kostiuk-Hein, andGeneral Rick Hillier at the CDS MilitaryFamily Fund Gala Night in Ottawa heldNovember 3rd at the War MuseumTo cope with this, Mandi has prepared this video and a number of songs that celebrate the Canadian soldier while mourning the losses of those who did not return to their families.
"This is all a part of a bigger picture where there will soon be a CD/DVD combo called Salute Our Heroes that will be sold in Wal-Mart and Costco stores across Canada."
She says the proceeds will make a difference. "50% of money raised from the sale of the CD/DVD combo will be donated to 3 charities the CDS MFF and the Sapper Mike McTeague Wounded Warriors Fund and also Boomer's Legacy"
The video below is a narrative story by Mandi with a poem she wrote back when her Canadian Soldier was serving during Operation Orion in Afghanistan in 2006.
"I end the story with my husband's last email to me before boarding a plane to come home after he finished he combat tour. My husband is due to go back to Afghanistan again in January '08 a mission he VOLUNTEERED to do."
Video
Soldier's Wife Tells Her Side of the StorySalem-News.com