August 27: Kin Come Together to Remember in Regina

Kin

n

1.a person's relatives collectively; kindred

2.a class or group with similar characteristics

When Portraits of Honour visited Regina for the Kin National Convention, the definition of the word Kin became readily apparent.

Though not relatives by blood, the Kinsmen and Kinettes that had gathered in Regina from across the country embraced the fallen heroes on the mural as if they were. Hundreds marched for 20 minutes from the convention location, a sea of red shirts and waving flags, to the ceremony location at the Regina Armouries.  For over an hour the group sat under hot sun, hearing about the impact that this tour has had over the 3 months it was been on the road.

During the first half of the tour, Kin clubs from Ontario to Alberta, British Columbia to Saskatchewan, have dedicated countless hours, many sleepless nights, and buckets of tears to make the Portraits of Honour project the success it continues to be. Without their support, the wheels on the POH trailer wouldn’t have rolled an inch.

Perhaps the reason they feel so close to those on the mural, and those who continue to serve, is because like the definition of kin states, they are “ a group with similar characteristics.”

Dedicated, generous, driven and selfless, both Kin and those in the Canadian Forces give of themselves to make our communities, our country and our world a better place. To Kin Canada members these characteristics are part of the fabric that makes them who they are, and when they see those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of these same ideals, they are proud and honoured to call them family.