montreal nurse humbled to be chosen for national remembrance day ceremony
capt. kathleen nguyen said she's grateful to be able "to honour the contributions and the sacrifices of canadian armed forces members and the veterans and, of course, the fallen soldiers."
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a montrealer is among an elite few chosen to stand guard during ottawa’s remembrance day ceremony this year — and it’s a privilege she doesn’t take lightly. a critical-care nursing officer with the canadian armed forces, capt. kathleen nguyen, 33, will be among 11 armed forces members and one royal canadian mounted police officer standing guard in front of the national war memorial on nov. 11 as part of the remembrance day sentry program.
“i’m incredibly humbled,” nguyen told the gazette. “i am just happy to be able … to honour the contributions and the sacrifices of canadian armed forces members and the veterans and, of course, the fallen soldiers.”
in a statement announcing participants of this year’s program, chief of the defence staff gen. jennie carignan said each person selected “exemplifies our values daily through your dedication, professionalism and leadership.”
“as we solemnly remember generations of brave canadians who fought to preserve our peace and freedom, we also acknowledge your unwavering commitment, exceptional performance and selfless service to canadians today,” she said.
nguyen first joined the canadian armed forces via its regular officer training program in 2010, through which she was able to study nursing and become a critical-care nursing officer.
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“if you compare it to a civilian setting, i’d be mainly working in the intensive-care unit of the emergency room,” she said. “when it’s a deployed setting, it would be … usually military personnel.”
the decision to join the forces was a no-brainer for nguyen, who was following in the steps of her father and grandfather.
“it seemed like i had this … strong desire and almost an innate duty to kind of follow the same path,” nguyen said.
that path has allowed her to honour those who came before her and to help canadians feel safe and free, she said, “but at the same time, i do understand that canada’s history includes this big, painful experience and a lot of sacrifices of indigenous peoples, too, which i don’t think should ever be forgotten.”
“i think that going forward, honouring that history is also essential to building a more respectful future for canada and something a little bit more inclusive. and i think that this generation in particular is starting to acknowledge that.”
nguyen belongs to a health service branch based out of petawawa, ont., known as 1 canadian field hospital and considered a detachment in montreal. it’s a high-readiness group, nguyen explained, meaning “we’re the ones that will be pulled out for training or missions if there are to be any.”
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her work has taken her across canada and to such places as iraq and greece internationally.
when she’s not training outside montreal, nguyen is working out of mcgill university health centre hospitals — in the er at one and the icu at another — to maintain her skills, providing either hospital with an extra pair of hands when she’s present.
nguyen assisted at the royal victoria hospital and the montreal general hospital as part of operation laser during the covid-19 pandemic, and worked as the nurse liaison officer for military personnel deployed to help in long-term care homes.
she said she’s honoured to be representing montreal in this year’s sentry program, adding that she represents the city “no matter where i go.”
“i love being from montreal — i think it’s the best city ever,” nguyen said. “i do feel really proud.”
capt. kathleen nguyen adjusts her uniform at her home in montreal on friday, nov. 1, 2024. “i love being from montreal — i think it’s the best city ever,” she says.
john mahoney
/
montreal gazette
nguyen’s commanding officer, lt.-col. david tarso, said in a statement her being chosen is a testament to her dedication and professionalism.
“capt. nguyen exemplifies the character, competence and commitment that inspire trust and lead to professional excellence,” he said. “whether supporting operations as part of high-readiness teams or serving as acting detachment commander in montreal, capt. nguyen is not only a skilled leader but a mentor, setting an example of leadership and dedication for others to follow.”
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nguyen said being part of this year’s sentry program has given her time and space to think more deeply about remembrance day, even though it has always played a significant role in her life.
“remembrance day is essentially … a tradition. and, yes, we are respecting this tradition that’s been going on forever,” she said, “but it’s also just a time for me to think about the sacrifices of the people who have served, for them to be able to provide us with safety. i think … the people of canada are overall just incredibly free, and that didn’t come without a cost.”
nguyen acknowledged it might be harder for young canadians to remember past wars as time goes on, which is why “it’s kind of up to us to keep the stories and that history alive — because they did happen,” she said.
“and i do think that it is important to remember, because history is crucial.”
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