Doreen Coolen has been invited to take part in the national Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa on Monday, but it's an honour the Nova Scotia woman would rather not have.

The Royal Canadian Legion asked her to represent all Canadian mothers who have lost a child in war. She is this year's National Silver (Memorial) Cross Mother.

"It's bittersweet, bittersweet," she said. "I'll do my best to make all mothers proud who have lost their sons and daughters in past wars."

Doreen Coolen and her son
Doreen Coolen and her son

Coolen became one of those mothers earlier this year, when her only child, Pte. Richard Green, was killed in Afghanistan.

Green was one of four members of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry killed in April when a U.S. pilot mistakenly dropped a bomb on them during nighttime live fire exercises.




Having joined the Armed Forces in 1998, Green had already been overseas as a peacekeeper in Bosnia-Herzegovina when his unit was sent to join the war on terrorism.

"When he told me he was going to Afghanistan, of course I was worried," Coolen said. "I prayed every day."

In his last letter home, Green assured his mother he was safe and that he loved her – that he'd be home in a few months.

The news that promise wouldn't come true made for "the worst day of my life," Coolen said.

She will lay a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on Monday on behalf of all the Canadian mothers who have had similar days.

It's a tradition that dates back to 1919, just after the First World War.

Last weekend, a Nova Scotia town held a special memorial service at the cenotaph so that she could take part. Her son's name was added to the memorial early because residents of Chester, N.S., knew Coolen would be in Ottawa on Nov. 11.

CBC Newsworld will have live coverage of the National Remembrance Day ceremonies on Monday starting at 10 a.m. ET.