Major Mendes honoured at Queen's Park

Northumberland-Quinte West MPP Lou Rinaldi spoke to the Legislature on May 4, honouring Major Michelle Mendes.

The former Wicklow resident died in Afghanistan on April 23, 2009 while serving on the Canadian mission there.

MPP Rinaldi's statement is below:

Mr. Speaker I rise today to discuss a matter of deep sorrow that has affected not only the citizens of my riding, but the entire country, the untimely death of Major Michelle Mendes.

Michelle was a young woman of unsurpassed dedication to her country.

Her first tour of Afghanistan was tragically cut short, when she was injured in 2006. After receiving medical treatment, Michelle returned to Afghanistan to continue her tour of duty.

Michelle died in Afghanistan on April 23, 2009. Her passing has left a hole in the hearts of many, particularly in Michelle's home town of Wicklow.

Michelle returned home with full military honours and began the procession down the Highway of Heroes on Sunday, April 26th. The small two-lane bridge in her hometown was jammed with people, including members of the Alnwick/Haldimand Fire Department, who stood atop their vehicles. As well, the Branch 580 Legion Honour Guard stood at the on-ramp to the highway.

At times like these it is hard to adequately express the grief we experience as a community, the sorrow we feel for Michelle and her family and her loved ones.

I would like to convey the gratitude we feel for Michelle's selfless dedication to her country. I am proud to say that Major Michelle Mendes was a true hero. She was a young woman any of us would be proud to call a wife, a daughter, a granddaughter or a friend. Michelle was a gifted student, a school athlete, a person who strove every day of her young life, not for mediocrity, but for excellence. A true inspiration; particularly for theyoung women of Ontario.

We can never know the depths of sorrow of Michelle's family and friends. Our hearts go out to her husband, Victor, Michelle's parents Ron and Dianne Knight, and the rest of her family.

Speaker I would ask for unanimous consent for a moment of silence to remember and honour our hero, Major Michelle Mendes.