Honouring Canadian Peacekeepers: Major (Retired) Darrell Menard shares his story in “Diary of a Deployed Doc”
Canadians recently celebrated National Peacekeeping Day to honour Peacekeepers who have served in areas of conflict all over the world. Métis veteran Major (Retired) Darrell Menard of Russell, Ontario has recently published a book titled “Diary of a Deployed Doc” which helps shed light on the realities faced by military personnel who are deployed away from home for extended periods of time.
The production of Diary of a Deployed Doc was supported by the Métis Veterans Legacy Program, and one of the goals of this project is to ensure that as many Canadians as possible have access to this book. Consequently, Darrell has donated 360 copies of his book to libraries, museums and schools in small communities across the country. In the fall, he will donate an additional 500 copies of his book to the same institutions. “Diary of a Deployed Doc” has been warmly received by readers and military personnel alike, earning five-star ratings on both Amazon and Goodreads.
For those of you who are wondering what the book is about, the book’s back cover summarizes it nicely: “Major (retired) Menard is a Metis physician and Air Force medical officer who is suddenly and unexpectedly selected to be the Medical Advisor to the Commander of the Canadian Contingent of NATO’s Stabilizing Force. As part of the team working to bring peace to war-torn Bosnia, Major Menard finds himself woefully unprepared to work in an almost exclusive Army environment, and it doesn’t take long for him to realize he has a great deal to learn in a very short period of time. His seven-month tour is punctuated with laughter, tragedy, joy, frustration, loneliness and teamwork. In sharing his story, Dr. Menard hopes readers better understand what Canadian Forces personnel experience when they are deployed far from their loved ones.”
With humour, humility, and heart, Darrell offers an unflinching look at the emotional highs and lows of peacekeeping, from moments of camaraderie and laughter to the deep isolation and responsibility of caring for others in a conflict zone. Over the course of his seven-month deployment, Darrell witnessed firsthand the complexities of international peacekeeping efforts as well as the human cost of conflict.
A lifelong athlete and a well-known sport medicine physician, Darrell served 40 years in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). He currently works as the Surgeon General’s Specialist Advisor in Sport Medicine and is an adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa’s School of Nursing. His contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including being named an Officer of the Order of Military Merit, an Officer of the CISM Order of Merit, and induction into several Sports Halls of Fame.
“Diary of a Deployed Doc” is available now on Amazon and is printed in Canada, on Canadian paper and is packaged and delivered by Canadians. This book is an easy read and provides a meaningful tribute to peacekeeping, military service, and Métis contributions to Canada’s armed forces. Darrell can be reached at sportsmedmenard@outlook.com