Legacy of Love: Family of Canadian Armed Forces Veteran honors his memory with generous donation to Support Our Troops Karen and Kevin Lynch, the daughter of a military veteran and her husband, have made a generous donation to Support Our Troops. In a heartwarming gesture of respect and gratitude towards the Canadian Armed Forces, Karen and Kevin Lynch, the daughter of a military veteran and her husband, have made a generous donation to Support Our Troops. This act of kindness aims to provide financial assistance to dependents of military members and Veterans wishing to pursue their academic dreams. When asked about their motivation to donate to this cause, Karen explained, "We believe it is important to recognize military members and their families for their commitment to the safety and security of our nation and our communities." Karen’s connection to the Canadian Armed Forces runs deep. Her father, Lieutenant Commander Richard Johnson, born in 1922, joined the Navy at the young age of 17 as an ordinary seaman. He dedicated himself to a long and illustrious military career, with most of his service stationed in Nova Scotia. Rising through the ranks, he ended his career as a Lieutenant Commander in the Communications Branch in Halifax. During her father's service, Karen's family experienced the challenges and joys of military life—frequent moves, base living, and long absences when her father was deployed. The absence of modern communication technology made these separations even more challenging, relying solely on letters and occasional phone calls to stay connected. Even after her father's passing, his military pension continued to support their mother, Jean Johnson, who had been a homemaker throughout her life. The military, for Karen’s family, was not just a profession but also a way of life that left a lasting impact, inspiring their choice to donate to Support Our Troops. The Lynch’s emphasized the importance of supporting the military community, stating, "Sadly, the public generally doesn't think about the military until it needs it,” It's a sentiment shared by many—often, “the military is only in the spotlight during times of national disasters or international conflicts like the war in Afghanistan. However, the military plays a crucial and consistent role in safeguarding the nation, ready to respond when called upon.” For Karen, education was a cornerstone of her family's values. Both her parents stressed the importance of academic achievement. Her mother devoted countless hours to helping with homework and spelling words, while their father was a staunch advocate for lifelong learning. In line with these values, Karen and Kevin Lynch’s donation to Support Our Troops will be placed in an endowment that will help military dependents for years to come pursue their academic dreams. Thank you for your support to our military members in uniform, and their families.