National Silver Cross Mother Luncheon

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, hosted a luncheon at Rideau Hall to pay tribute to this year’s National Silver Cross Mother, Mrs. Avril Dianna Stachnik. Her son, the late Sergeant Shane Hank Stachnik, was serving with the Canadian Forces as a combat military engineer during operation MEDUSA, a ground offensive against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan. On September 3, 2006, he was killed in an ambush while leading his section.

Her Excellency payed tribute to fallen Sergeant Shane Hank Stachnik in her speech delivered during the luncheon. The National Silver Cross Mother is chosen annually by the Royal Canadian Legion. She represents mothers who have lost their children in the military service of our country and attends the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa.

Chief of Defence Staff General Walter Natynczyk also delivered a speech during the ceremony at Rideau Hall.

Many disintguished guests and veterans attended this luncheon in honour of the 2008 National Silver Cross Mother, Ms. Avril Dianna Stachnik.