Army Officer featured at International Literature Festival

News Release

July 17, 2014 - Ottawa

Lieutenant-Colonel Steve Jourdain, author of Mon Afghanistan, will address participants of the Festival International du Livre Militaire, an annual event hosted by the French Military Academy, Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan July 18-19 in Guer, France.

Quick Facts

From March to October 2009, LCol Jourdain deployed to Afghanistan as Commander, Cobra Company in Sperwan Ghar. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his actions in Afghanistan by the Governor General;
As a result of his experiences in Afghanistan, LCol Jourdain wrote a book, “Mon Afghanistan”, which was published in Quebec in April 2013 and in France in September 2013. The book, an account of personal recollection and experiences in a war zone as the commander of a francophone company operating in Afghanistan, was the first of its kind to be published in French by a Canadian Army officer. Following its publication, LCol Jourdain was invited to this year’s the Festival International du Livre Militaire (FILM);
While at FILM, LCol Jourdain will hold a book-signing event. He will also participate in an arm-chair discussion alongside French Army Chief-Sergeant Jocelyn Truchet, who lost a leg following the explosion of an improvised explosive device while deployed to Kapisa Province in Afghanistan. Chief-Sergeant Truchet is the author of Blessé de Guerre;
FILM gathers military authors and publishers of military-themed books in a festival designed to expose the general public to military culture and contemporary conflicts via debates, conferences, arm-chair discussions, and other interactive forums. The two-day festival is held in the Military Academy, Saint-Cyr’s specialized library; and
Lieutenant-Colonel Jourdain, a member of The Royal 22^e Régiment, joined the Canadian Army in 1991. He has deployed to Haiti, the former Yugoslavia and Afghanistan. He was the Commander of the 3^rd Battalion, Royal 22^e Régiment from July 2012 to July 2014. He assumed the position of Head of Operations at 2^nd Canadian Division Headquarters in Montreal, Quebec on July 7.

Quotes

“It is an honour to have a Canadian Armed Forces member and Canadian military author, attend the Festival International du Livre Militaire in France. Books based on personal accounts by individual soldiers during both Great Wars and other conflicts have played a significant role in remembering our nation’s history.”
The Honourable Rob Nicholson P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls and Minister of National Defence

“I am very proud to see one of our officers bring credit to the Canadian Army by representing our institution at the Festival International du Livre Militaire. As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the First World War and the 70th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, this festival is a reminder of the significant value of documenting history, even from a personal account.”
Lieutenant-General Marquis Hainse, Commander Canadian Army

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Army Officer featured at International Literature Festival

News Release

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