Volume 25 www.legionnl.com 49 Newfoundland Labrador Command Donna was honoured by the women and men she so proudly served with in the Canadian Armed Forces for 33 years. The Canadian Special Operations Command Headquarters Optimizing Performance of the Force and Family Library is named in honour of CWO Donna Smit. Donna served as the first female headquarters Sergeant Major from July 2013 to March 2014. She was described as a committed leader who devoted her career to the holistic wellbeing of the members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Donna’s service was defined by her care, advocacy, and dedication to those fortunate to serve with her. Her remarkable capacity for empathy and compassion were hallmarks of her leadership. Donna was an amazing Mother to her son Kyle and stepsons Joseph and Curtis, and a loved Grandmother “Nan” to Braydon, Rory, Blake and Myles. Donna grew up with a book in her hand and spent many hours sitting on the steps of the Cormack library filling her brain and feeding her soul with an endless amount of possibilities, adventure and knowledge that helped shape the truly amazing lady she grew up to be. Donna’s career spanned 33 years; 24 of those years she spent married to the love of her life Greg who will be together forever. Donna started her career in Kingston as a telecommunications technician or a “Jimmy”, an occupation she loved. Together Donna and Greg lived in Gander, Comox, Greenwood and Ottawa where Donna’s life was cut short at just the tender age of 53. At the time of her passing, Donna was serving as the Military Personnel Generation Group Chief Warrant Officer. The backdrop of Donna’s library is filled with poppies which symbolize the poppies Donna had tattooed on her body to serve as a personal reminder to each soldier she stood guard for at a ramp ceremony during her 2 tours of the Afghanistan war. The symbology of a library is a legacy meant to continue through the resources found in this library named in her honour to enable, educate and resource the members of CANSOFCOM in all areas of leadership, culture and well-being. A wood bench was constructed by a retired member of the PPCLI which serves as a symbol to that young lady who spent so many hours on those wooden steps of the Cormack library which is also a fitting symbol of the craftsmanship her Dad “Bud” so loves. Donna is defined by her love, faith and hope in that all who serve matter. Donna Smit “Lest we forget”
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