Michelle Wright honoured the first Canadian female soldier killed in combat since World War II, Captain Nichola Goddard, last Saturday with the live presentation of a poem she wrote in tribute to Goddard. Michelle was performing in Charlottetown for a Nov. 7 benefit concert for Light Up Papua New Guinea, a charitable project in honour of Goddard, when she surprised the audience, including Goddard's parents, with the newly written poem entitled Captain Nichola Goddard.
Michelle's connection to Goddard goes back to when she was in Afghanistan performing for the troops on the day that Goddard was killed, September 17, 2006. Michelle attended Captain Goddard's ramp ceremony two days later.
Michelle talked last Saturday night about what inspired her to write a poem in Captain Goddard's honour, the first poem she has ever written. "As a result of this invitation I started to reflect upon my experience of being in a war zone when a soldier serving her country lost her life... and the words just poured out," she explained. As part of the surprise presentation, Michelle gave a manuscript of the poem to Goddard's parents.
Read Michelle Wright's Captain Nichola Goddard here. If you know any one else who might appreciate its heartfelt sentiments on November 11, you're welcome to share it.