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Andrew asked his mother to send baseballs so the childr

would have something to play with, or sugarless treats

enjoy, keeping in mind that they had no access to dental ca

Andrew cared, and so did the people who cared for hi

Two days after his death, friends of Maureens wanted

contribute to his legacy. Pamela Jolin knit the rst cap send to Afghanistan to keep a child warm and the Boom

Cap Project was born.

Flying to Trenton, Ontario to receive Andrews bod

Maureen decided she needed to be part of a solution a

not an apathetic bystander. With her familys support, s

founded Boomers Legacy, the foundation that helps o

soldiers provide compassionate care to those they encoun

while deployed.

To date, more than 127,500 caps have been knitted and se

around the world, and over $600,000 has been raised for o

soldiers to spend on helping Afghanis in need.

The money has provided lifesaving surgery to children w

otherwise would die, educated midwives, bought book

school supplies and warm clothes, and funded countle

donations to people who have nothing.

Boomers Ride, an annual bike trek from Comox to Victor

was established to raise funds and awareness for Boome

Legacy. Chief Warrant Ofcer Todd McGowan was t

lone rider in 2007. He inspired Deb Koster to gather mo

participants, and this year, more than 90 cyclists will ride

June 1718. General Walter Natynczyk, Chief of Defen

Staff, will join the cyclists for the rst leg, and Surge

General Hans Jung will be there to support them as thembark on their journey.

The day I met her, Maureen invited me to a fundrais

for Boomers Ride 2011 at Evadars Bistro

Peatt Road, Langford. The owners, Marc and Fr

Jinnouchi, had never met Maureen, but opened th

doors and their hearts to her and her cause. Depi

Bhangu, one of the riders, and his wife Melan

hosted the event.

4 ISLANDgals.ca

Maureen EykelenboomOne mothers tragedy,

and a mission to keep her sons legacy alive.

Maureen Eykelenboom lives in Comox, a town familiar to Islanders. From

an early age, she envisioned a Pollyanna life for herself. That vision began

to unfold as she married, raised three boys, volunteered and developed a

successful career in Volunteer Management.

But the Pollyanna vision vanished August 11, 2006, the day her youngest son

Andrew, in Afghanistan as a medic with the Canadian Armed Forces, was

killed by a 17 year old suicide bomber.

Andrew was 23 years old.

I had never heard of Maureen until Gifty

Serbeh-Dunn, friend and contributor,

suggested that Maureens story would interest

Island Gals readers.

I met Maureen at a presentation she gave at

Monterey Middle School about BoomersLegacy, the charitable foundation she created

to help our soldiers help others. Maureen

captivated a class of young teenagers with

Andrews story, stoically telling of his service

to his country, his heroism and the sacrice of

his life.

Over coffee, Maureen shared her Andrew with

me: a handsome young man, all of 23, who

wanted to help people, serve his country and be

proud of his accomplishments. As mother to a

23 year old son, my heart bonded to hers.

Andrew was a boisterous youngster, full of life,spirit and energy, and sometimes a little mischief.

He was that kid who actually did pull the re

alarm in school. Maureen often wondered what

she was going to do with the boy!

As a young man, Andrew decided he wanted

to make a difference. Initially planning to be

a reman, he changed direction, enlisted and

became a medic.

In February 2006, Andrew (nicknamed

Boomer by his comrades) left for Afghanistan.

His mothers worry was countered by hisletters, lled with pride at being able

to assist where there was need and his

commitment to service. Pictures revealed

the difcult conditions he and his fellow

soldiers endured. In a phone call, Andrew

said, Mom, people in Canada have no

idea of what having nothing means. Even

our street people have more than anyone

in the village I was just in.

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Helping Our Soldiers Help Others

BOOMERS RIDEComox/Courtenay to Victoria

June 1718, 2011

Register to ride the 240 km orsponsor a cyclist today.

www.boomerslegacy.ca

Well, I nally got the picture you have been waiting for. About two weeks ago a littlegirl brought her infant sister to the UMS while I was on duty. She had 2nd degree

burns on her hand from touching a kettle. I bandaged her

hand and after gave a doll that your friend made to her. She

instantly stopped crying and started sucking on the nose of

the doll. A special thanks goes from her older sister to your

friend for such a wonderful gift; and a thanks from me for

being the one to accept her gratitude.

Making the children happy is the most rewarding thing

about this tour. Love Andrew

Over coffee, Maureen had said to me that

connecting the dots is possible and, together,

we actually can make a difference. That

evening, strangers became friends and dots were

connected, all because of a young man who

wanted to do some good for strangers he met

on duty, and the mother who made it her duty to

continue his mission.

Before I met Maureen, I would probably have

spent June 18 grocery shopping or doing errands;

but now I will be at the legislature at 4 p.m. to

greet the riders.

I urge allIsland Gals contributors and readers to

join me that day to support this cause, the cyclists

and a dedicated woman, mother and Island gal.

We all have a choice as to how we want to spend

our Saturday afternoon. Lets spend it connecting

the dots.

Where will you be on Saturday, June 18th, 2011at 4 p.m?

Johanna Socha

Andrew James EykelenboomBorn in Alberta on November 3, 1982 to Maureenand Hans Eykelenboom, Andrew had a passion forsports, but was also a voracious reader and enjoyedquiet moments by himself. Fishing with Dad wasa favourite pastime. Called Andy by his mother,Andrew by his brothers and civilian friends, henever shied away from an adventure.

BoomerKnown to his military comrades as Boomer, Andrews role as a medic in the military was to provide medical care to anyonewho needed it, from his own comrades and Afghan soldiers to the innocent children caught in the crossre of war. Boomers appreciation ofand respect for human life was evident to everyone whose life he touched with his compassion and generosity.

Boomers Legacywas created to help oursoldiers help those they encounter who needassistance. MCpl. Cam Smithers distributedBoomer Caps to Afghani children in 2008.