January 16, 2015
OTTAWA – The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Tom Lawson, issued the following statement:
“I was deeply saddened to learn of Ms. Gladys Osmond’s passing this week in Springdale, Newfoundland. She was a dear and true friend of the Canadian Armed Forces.
“Ms. Osmond, or ‘Dear Gladys’ as she was known, wrote hundreds of thousands of handwritten letters to troops deployed overseas. She founded the ‘Granny Brigade,’ enlisting other thoughtful Canadians, in an effort to bring valuable and tangible moral support to the men and women in uniform deployed on missions around the world. Her letters provided inspirational messages, strength, and heartfelt support to the thousands of soldiers, sailors, and aviators who received them. Simply put, she showed us that Canadians truly cared and her words were known to lift spirits and bring smiles to faces around the world, even on the darkest of days.
“From her first letters to deployed members in the early 1980s, her devotion and dedication to soldiers, sailors, and airmen and airwomen of our nation was like no other. She received many awards and commendations, including the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service.
“I was moved to hear that members of the Canadian Armed Forces were with Ms. Osmond in her final moments, and I hope her family and friends know that we in uniform will not forget her legacy of service.
“On behalf of all Canadian Armed Forces members and our families, I offer my heartfelt and sincere condolences to Ms. Osmond’s family and friends. She will forever hold a special place in the hearts and memories of those touched by her thoughtfulness.”
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Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: (613) 996-2353
Toll-Free: 1 866 377-0811
mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
