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memorial cairnThe UNDOF Memorial is decorated with linesman’s spurs
which are used to climb towers, communication poles or
trees.

When retired Chief Warrant Officer and Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizen Roger Ladouceur served in the Middle East in 1980, his dear friend was tragically killed in an accident.

Ladouceur and Private Perry Porter were both stationed in the Golan Heights, a Syrian region bordered by Israel, Lebanon and Jordan, serving with the United Nations Disengagement and Observer Force (UNDOF).

The tragic incident took place on November 6, 1980, when Porter was working on an antennae tower when the tower collapsed. Ladouceur was a member of the crew working on the tower when Porter was killed.

The loss of his friend affected Ladouceur keenly. He made certain that Porter’s service medal was posthumously presented to his grieving parents and worked diligently and successfully to have Porter’s mother recognized as one of theladouceurChief Warrant Officer (retired) Roger Ladouceur. Silver Cross Mothers for Remembrance Day ceremonies.

When Ladouceur returned to the Golan Heights in 1984, he saw to it that a memorial was built and dedicated to the memory of Porter.

Now known as the UNDOF Memorial, the stone cairn has a plaque on each of its sides, listing the names of all Canadians who lost their lives while serving on UN missions in the area.

Over the years, the memorial had been refurbished several times. Originally built near the entrance of Camp Ziouani, the UNDOF Memorial was moved 26 kilometres away to Camp Faouar, Syria, in 2005.

When the decision was made to move the contingent of soldiers stationed at Camp Faouar back to Canada, it was decided the memorial would be brought with them to allow Canadians to properly honour and maintain a memorial dedicated to the memory of Canadian citizens.

The UNDOF Memorial was safely brought to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Kingston, where it still stands today.

Roger Ladouceur received the Louis Riel Medal and certificate during the Veterans and Youth weekend in Midland on April 25 to 26.