Cindy McElrea Plants a Tribute to Her Son and His Brothers in Arms from Afghanistan

The conflict in Afghanistan was a tough time for Canadians. During that time, Canada lost 158 servicemen and servicewomen. Once repatriated at CFB Trenton, their bodies were driven to the coroner’s office in Toronto. During those years, hundreds of people started to gather at the bridges along Highway 401 to quietly reflect on the meaning of this sacrifice, hold flags and salute the fallen heroes passing by in hearses. 

For Cindy McElrea, those years were especially stressful as her son, Master Cpl. Sean Markwell was deployed and served on multiple tours with the Kings Own Calgary Regiment with the Lords Strathconas Horse (RC).

Cindy’s 30-acre horse farm is just north of Highway 401 outside of Colborne, ON. She recalls of that time, “Living right next to the 401, the motorcades were quite visible and also well broadcast. At first, I couldn’t go to the bridge... although I supported the people who did, for me it was too emotional. So, I would saddle up a horse and ride to the edge of the 401 and be there as the motorcade went through.”

“At one point I was talking to the late Michael Hornburg (father of the late Cpl. Nathan Hornburg who passed away in Afghanistan in September 2008). Nathan was from Nanton, Alberta, and a very good friend and comrade of my son. He loved horses. His Dad noticed me on the horse as they passed by. He said it meant a lot to him to see the horse and rider during his son’s final journey. May God hold them close.”

Cindy recounted of another repatriation: “…I drove just behind the motorcade the full length of the trip so I would be more prepared if my turn came. That was very heart wrenching but also an impressive revelation of the support Canadians give their returning soldiers. The bridges were full of people and flags.”

Having to go through long periods of radio silence from her son overseas, Cindy went through different phases of coping. “There was a time when I couldn’t read or listen to any news or information relating to the Afghanistan conflict. There were even more times when I read everything I could get my hands on.... newspapers, novels and everything in between,” Cindy explained. “As a military Mom, I confess, I gained more than a few grey hairs, but I also found strength in knowing he was and is a soldier at heart…He was doing what he wanted to do.”

When she did hear from Sean, Cindy said ‘‘…it wasn’t usually good news – a concussion, a severe leg injury...I put my energy into packing care packages. As per suggested protocol, I addressed these packages to Sean, but I also put ‘or any soldier’. This harsh reality was difficult but at the same time made the focus such that anyone could enjoy the contents.”

Master Cpl Sean Markwell was on task force 1-08 as a Leopard C2 and Leopard 2 Crewman in Kandahar Province with B squadron LdSH (RC). While on this tour, he was injured twice during separate incidents. First, in June 2008, by a mortar attack and then, in September 2008, by an improvised explosive device (IED) strike. Unfortunately, in the September 2008 strike, he lost his close friend, Cpl. Nathan Hornburg.

The Canadian military created the Sacrifice Medal in 2009 to replace the Wound Stripe, and is awarded to members of the military that were killed or injured in the line of duty since Oct. 7, 2001. In 2010, Master Cpl Sean Markwell, along with Cpl. Mark Fuchko and Cpl. Nathan Hornburg were awarded the Sacrifice medal. Linda Loree accepted the award on behalf of her son Cpl. Nathan Hornburg, and, in 2017, a memorial was unveiled on his behalf at the Military Museum of Calgary in Alberta.

Canada’s involvement with the Afghan conflict was drawn out for many years, making it a difficult and uncertain period for Canadians. At first, Cindy found it challenging to open up and discuss her worries with others, but eventually found it as a way to inform others of Canada’s effort. “On a day-to-day basis, I would like to say that people were supportive. Some were. I found that many were afraid to talk about it for fear I would become a puddle of misery, or maybe they had their own reasons. I was very proud of my son and our troops. I am sure there were times when people wished I had an off switch. I took every opportunity to talk, to educate people, share what I knew and to learn more. Talking was my comfort, with more than a few tears of course but I saved them for my private moments.”

Being an animal lover, she found the most substantial support was provided by her animals. “I also have to give credit to my critters, my horses, dogs and cats all offered me comfort in ways that no human could.  They were my constant companions and very generous with their unconditional love. And I prayed a lot and often.”

With the main focus of Cindy’s farm revolving around horses and training, her vision didn’t originally include trees. “I bought this property in 1997 with the dream of having a horse facility. Through the years I have fostered and retrained horses for the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, organized day camps for children, hosted clinics, boarded and trained horses, given riding lessons and raised foals with the help of my partner Buck Phaneuf. Currently, we have quarter horses, which we show in Reining competitions throughout the province with the Ontario Reining Horse Association.”

In late April 2021, Northumberland Tree Planters spent 3 days at the farm planting 7,750 bareroot seedlings – a mix of pine, spruce, and oak. The new trees will eventually become a future forest directly off the Highway of Heroes and will commemorate our Canadian servicemen and servicewomen.

“Planting the trees first and foremost signifies a very valuable and memorable tribute. In addition, it offers a sanctuary for birds and wildlife, lots of greenery, and a buffer from the 401.”

“There are many I would like to commemorate. My maternal grandfather, John Alfred Lundeborg, who served in WWI. Frederick George McNally served in WWI - maternal grandfather to my soul sister. My son, Master Corporal Sean Ryan Markwell, and his brother in arms, Corporal Nathan Hornburg. My son-in-law, Sailor First Class Joseph Kendall, who is currently serving on the HMS Regina out of Victoria B.C. My brothers, David Robert McElrea and Jeffery Duncan McElrea, who both served with the Sherbrooke Hussars (Reserve). Peter Alton McElrea, who was deployed to a peacekeeping mission in Cypress with the Sherbrooke Hussars. My brother-in-law, Master Corporal Sean Scally, and finally, the son of a very good friend, the late Corporal Lee Jeffrey Ferrant.”

 “Bottom line, I love trees and I love the legacy they stand for. I encourage anyone who is able, to visit the Afghanistan Memorial in Trenton, Ontario. A symbolic and very memorable experience.”

Support for Cindy’s planting was provided in partnership with the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign and Forests Ontario. Click here to find out more about eligibility for tree planting funding.