The Canadian Landmine Foundation has added a sixth honouree to its mine detection
dog (MDD) training project to note the
after a battle with cancer.
This year the Canadian Landmine Foundation set out to fund the training of
five mine detection dogs. The first, will be called Izzy in honour of Brian's
son, Master Cpl. Mark Isfeld of Courtney B.C., who was killed in Croatia in
June 1994; the second will be named Paul in honour of Cpl. Paul Davis of Bridgewater
N.S., who was killed in Afghanistan March 2, 2006; the third will be named
Jeff in honour of Master Cpl. Jeffrey Walsh of Regina SK, who was killed in
Afghanistan August 9, 2006; the fourth will be named Boomer in honour of Cpl.
Andrew Eykelenboom of Comox BC, who was killed in Afghanistan August 11, 2006;
and the fifth will be named Carol in honour of Mrs. Carol Isfeld, M.S.M. who
passed away on August 15, 2007.
The story of the Isfeld's is one of the most inspiring accounts of recent
times. Their son, Master Corporal Mark Isfeld was killed removing landmines
on June 21, 1994 near Kakma, Croatia while carrying out UN peacekeeping duties.
One of the things that made Mark unique was that when he would travel on peacekeeping
duties be would find that the children had no toys. Personal possessions are
often the first things lost during a time of war. He wanted to give them something
to play with. So he asked his mother Carol if she could make something for
him to hand out to the kids. Carol was an avid knitter - so she knitted him
a little woollen doll, about 6 inches tall and on the dolls head she knitted
a little blue beret. Mark would hand these dolls out as he travelled.
After Mark was killed, the soldiers in his unit came to the Isfeld's and said
'if you continue to knit them, we will continue to hand them out'. So today
there are children all over the world who's first impression of Canada is
a little woollen doll with a blue beret.
Brian supported Carol in her work, which continues in the hands of volunteer
knitters across Canada. Brian also worked intensely to keep the memory of
his son alive, to promote and support the elimination of landmines, and to
promote the establishment of August 9th as Peacekeepers Day in Canada.
On November 21, 2005, the Governor General awarded Brian and Carol with the
Meritorious Service Medal for their efforts.
The six Mine Detection Dogs will be trained by the Canadian International
Demining Corps.
The Mine Detection Dogs
Scott Fairweather, Canadian Landmine Foundation