On November 9th, 2009, Captain Trevor Greene received the Sacrifice Medal at Rideau Hall, Ottawa. He has traveled a long and hard road from March, 2006 when he was shipped back to Canada from Afghanistan in a coma. He was not expected to live.
In March of 2006, the Vancouver BC reservist, journalist, published author and new father of a baby girl, was serving a peace mission in Afghanistan. In a small village in the Taliban area, he and his troops sat down to a meeting (shura) with tribal elders for discussions to build trust. As a measure of goodwill the troops typically remove their helmets and lay down their guns, a position of vulnerability. Almost immediately he was savagely struck in the back of the neck with an axe. Another Canadian soldier shot the attacker dead.
Surprisingly, when he regained consciousness and after brain surgery, his cogitative abilities were still in tact! His recovery to this point has been a series of near-miracles strengthened by the dedication and support of his fiancée, Debbie. Still, it is the drive within that ultimately moves one past insurmountable obstacles. Trevor had not only the will to live, but to live a meaningful life again.
CTV’s W-Five produced the documentary The Peace Warrior which follows Trevor and Debbie for more than a year as Trevor undergoes brain injury rehabilitation. This documentary (http://watch.ctv.ca/news/w5/w-five-presents-peace-warrior/#clip121589 ) received the Gemini Award this year for Best Biography Documentary.
Trevor appears at speaking engagements and is now writing a book about his experience and the power of hope.
Trevor before the attack and now is a thoughtful, deep and caring person. This has come back to him ten-fold from near and far.
The true warrior knows he doesn’t stand alone.
The true warrior knows he must be an instrument of peace.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
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