I am writing on behalf of a childhood friend I actually knew only through passing moments and reputation. However, his upstanding character shone through the Cadet culture so brightly, I felt compelled to create this page to do what I could to help this family. I had the pleasure of meeting his beautiful and resilient wife and children last week during their stay with our family while he was in hospital for his first of many procedures.

 

This is Nathan Brown, and he has cancer. The diagnosis was particularly shocking for this family as Nathan has been a pillar of support for his wife during the life changing surgeries she has endured over the past several months. This family has been through the ringer.

 

Many of you know Nathan as an active and vocal member of many cadet units and pipe bands throughout Ontario and Alberta. Nathan participated in Army Cadets as a member of 59 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in Chatham, Ontario, from age 13 until he aged out as a Cadet/Captain at 19. During this time, in the senior years, he was also a member of the Essex & Kent Scottish Regiment for a short time.

 

After he graduated high school and started his post-secondary education, he decided to join the Canadian Forces (CF) Reserves as a Cadet Instructors List officer. This branch of the CF was responsible for the training and administration of the young men and women involved in Army, Air and Sea Cadets across the country. He was on strength with Ipperwash Army Cadet Camp, but volunteered with his old unit at 59 RCACC. Through the years, he attended many courses to advance in rank and obtain new skills to pass on to the cadets.

 

In the mid 1980s, he moved to Kitchener, ON and became a staff member of 1596 RCACC, where he eventually became the Commanding Officer. From there he moved back to Chatham where he once again transferred to 59 RCACC and as well, became its CO. In 1996 the Sea Cadet corps in Wallaceburg, Ontario was in need of experienced staff, so he moved to that unit. Circumstances in Windsor again led him to be asked to take on a role with a unit, and he agreed to be the CO of 49 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps AGAMEMNON in 1998.

 

Nathan eventually found his way back to 162 RCSCC WALLACEBURG as a regular staff member, and of as fate would have it, CO of 162. In 2007, Nathan stepped away from 162 RCSCC and became the training officer of 132 RCSCC REPULSE in Sarnia. In 2014, Nathan retired from the Canadian Forces.

 

During much of this time, he spent many summers at Ipperwash Army Cadet Camp in various positions (1983-1993) and Blackdown Cadet Training Centre (1995, 1996). He also spent three summers at HMCSC ONTARIO, in Kingston, ON, working in Operations (2006, 2007 and 2009). He has also taken and presented courses provided by the Regional Cadet Instructor School (Central).

 

And to fill out his time, he was a drummer/drum major in Br. 28 Royal Canadian Legion Pipe Band in Chatham, ON, Br. 104 RCL in Innisfail, AB and currently a member of the Correctional Services of Canada Community

Pipes & Drums. 3 of Nathan's children have or are currently involved in pipe bands and well as his wife Christine. All of Nathan's children have been in Cadets, with is youngest son just aging out as the Squadron Warrant Officer of 724 "Midland Lions" RCACS.

 

I should add, Nathan worked in the Canadian Forces Contractor Augmentation Prorgram (CANCAP) at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. He was there from Dec 2007 - Feb 2009 and again Apr 2010 to Aug 2011. He was part of a large group of civilians who provided logistical support to the Canadian Forces during the War in Afghanistan. He was awarded the General Service Medal - Southwest Asia in 2008 for his hard work.

 

Nathan not only has had a large positive influence over people and young adults involved in the Cadets Canada organization, but he is a positive role model at home. When he married Christine in 2000, he took in his new step children (Felicia and Dylan) into his family with ease. He has always treated them as "blood". He never saw any difference.

 

 

Nathan Brown and family are in need of real assistance - His wife Christine and step-daughter Felicia have both been through many medical issues over the last 12 years. Felicia is dealing with Chron's and colitis on a constant basis, and his wife became aflicted with chronic pancreatitis due to a medical procedure, and recently (Oct 2018), had to have her esophagus removed and stomach repositioned in her upper chest. She was producing too much stomach acid and it basically destroyed her esophagus.

 

During this recent time with his wife, Nathan has been diagnosed with cancer in this throat and spots growing in his lungs. Normally with all this medical stuff going on, finances would be stretched very thin. As we know, not all costs are covered by provincial health care in this country. And with now this extra burden, they are at the breaking point.

 

Nathan has to now take time away from work for his own treatment and still try to provide for his family. It is a heavy burden. It would be appreciated if we could help the Browns as much as we can.

 

In the spirit of Cadet tradition; we continue to stick together. Cadets, and the people involved like Nathan Brown, influenced and changed my life positively in ways I will never be able to properly articulate – If I can help this family in some way it would be a tremendous opportunity to “pay it forward”. I am asking you for your help either by donation or by sharing this post among your circle of influence, it would mean so much to this family in their time of need.