National Silver Cross Mother Named from New Brunswick Who Lost Two Sons to PTSD

Maureen Anderson endured a heartbreaking loss, tragically losing both of her sons to their military service in the Canadian Army, despite the fact that they passed away years later and far from the active warzones of Afghanistan.

Ron Anderson, the elder son, was described as a determined individual, while his younger brother Ryan was more reserved. Both siblings made the decision to enlist in the military before completing high school, confident in their chosen career paths.

Reflecting on her sons, Anderson expressed deep sorrow, stating, “My boys were very kind to me, and I miss them terribly.”

Sgt. Ron Anderson, a father of four, tragically died by suicide in 2014 at the age of 39. Ryan, also a sergeant and a father of two, passed away in 2017 at the age of 38. Although Anderson avoids discussing the specifics of their deaths, she attributes their tragic ends to the post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from their extensive military service, including deployments to Afghanistan.

Now, at the age of 78, Anderson has been selected as this year’s national Silver Cross Mother and will travel to Ottawa to lay a wreath at the Remembrance Day ceremony on Nov. 11. The Silver Cross is a symbol awarded to mothers or widows of Canadian soldiers who died in or as a result of active duty.

Despite the tremendous loss of both her children, Anderson affirms that she never wished they had chosen different paths. A military life seemed almost predestined for Ron and Ryan.

Anderson comes from a military background, with her late husband and father being veterans. Ron made the decision early on to follow his father’s footsteps into military service, a path that Ryan also chose to embark on.

Both brothers served in various capacities, including overseas deployments to conflict zones. Tragically, Ron’s demeanor changed upon returning from Afghanistan in 2007, showcasing signs of PTSD that eventually led to his untimely death.

Following the loss of Ron, Ryan’s mental state deteriorated, and he struggled with his own battles. The brothers had faced harrowing experiences together in dangerous environments.

Anderson has been advocating for better treatment for veterans with PTSD, highlighting the importance of mental health care and specialist support. While she acknowledges the progress made in raising awareness about PTSD, she believes more needs to be done to support soldiers.

Throughout her retired life, Anderson keeps the memories of her sons alive by cherishing their photos and staying active in her community. She looks forward to using her role as Silver Cross Mother to continue discussing the impact of PTSD and honoring the sacrifices made by military personnel.

Despite the challenges she has faced, Anderson remains resilient, dedicated to keeping her sons’ legacies alive and participating in remembrance events as she has done throughout her life.