Sorrow inspired music for troops

Dennis Leclair was inspired to write a song last year.

The Kelowna counsellor was watching news last November and was struck by the faces of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan.

“This was around the time of the death of the 100th Canadian soldier in Afghanistan. It was gut-wrenching to watch. The song, 'To Our Canadian Troops,' was written that afternoon,” says Leclair.

He says the song was recorded within three weeks and his hope is to be able to send a commemorative copy to every Canadian military personnel, family member and veteran.

“I hope Canadians will embrace this as our anthem of support for our troops. I'm asking Canadians to log onto the website to purchase a copy of the CD. All the profits from the CD sales go to support the Military Families Fund, which provides assistance when spouses have to fly to different areas to visit an injured loved one.”

Leclair says he is also hoping to get some large corporate sponsors for the CD.

“If a company can buy several thousands copies to be sent to soldiers, the CDs will be pressed with the company's logo.”

There are three versions of the CD available online, Leclair's original version, an instrumental version and a version recorded with the Naden Band in Esquimalt.

The commemorative CDs include personal messages from several prominent Canadians, including Peter MacKay and Canada's former Chief of the Defence Staff, General (ret) Rick Hillier.