Language selection


Search veterans.gc.ca

Witness to the Cost of Human Suffering

Heroes Remember

Warning!

This video contains graphic content that may offend some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.

Witness to the Cost of Human Suffering

Transcript
Interviewer: What about some of the best aspects there? Well, again is doing the best that you can. As a nurse I can always feel quite happy if I can make somebody comfortable. Help them to a better state of health, relieve some of their discomfort. And even though we don’t speak the same language, you understand. Interviewer: And recalling some of the worst aspects? We were there when the rainy season started and, of course, as you know there were a lot of mass graves. The rain would come and wash all that off so we were left with a lot of exposed bodies and they were dumped in there like garbage. They were basically slaughtered. Pregnant women, women with babies on their back.
Description

Recalling some of the best and worst aspects of her deployment, Ms. Simmonds shares a horrific story of what she witnessed during her time in Sarajevo.

Cavell Simmonds

Ms. Cavell Simmonds was born March 1, 1951 in Bishop Falls, Newfoundland. Receiving her degree in nursing, Ms. Simmonds began her career in public hospitals. In 1974, she made the choice to join the military and during her service, she held rank of captain in the role of nurse in-Canada service as well as overseas deployments to Bosnia and Rwanda with the air force branch having responsibility of flight nurse during these overseas missions. Ms. Simmonds retired from the military in 2009 with 35 years service. Stricken with PTSD, she has found support through Soldier On and this year, 2018, she was chosen to be part of Team Canada for the Invictus Games held in Sydney, Australia. To her credit, Ms. Simmonds is the oldest member of Team Canada and successfully obtained a bronze medal in archery and Best Female Competitor in golf. Ms. Simmonds holds great pride for her accomplishments and is proud to be wearing the Canadian Maple leaf again as part of Team Canada Invictus 2018! She now resides in Calgary, Alberta.

Meta Data
Medium:
Video
Owner:
Veterans Affairs Canada
Recorded:
July 25, 2018
Duration:
1:35
Person Interviewed:
Cavell Simmonds
War, Conflict or Mission:
Canadian Armed Forces
Location/Theatre:
Sarajevo
Battle/Campaign:
Bosnia
Branch:
Air Force
Rank:
Captain
Occupation:
Nurse

Copyright / Permission to Reproduce

Related Videos

Date modified: