A tribute to the fallen
Master Corporal Scott MacDougall was a strong member of the Royal Canadian Regiment and participated in many patrolling activities and operations in Afghanistan.
This year’s Remembrance Day ceremony in Charlottetown paid tribute to MCpl. MacDougall, who died in April after years of dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.
“The PTSD Scott developed haunted him for years and ended up affecting his military career, his whole life, and his general well-being,” said 2nd vice president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 1 Kent MacDonald during the Remembrance Day service on Sunday.
In 2010, MacDougall’s vehicle struck an IED (improvised exploding device), a roadside bomb, while on patrol.
“Scott was wounded but yet after only six weeks in hospital he returned to duty to complete his tour and serve with his unit,” said MacDonald.
However, while his physical wounds healed, the symptoms of PTSD grew unbearable until his death in the spring.
His mother, Diana MacDougall, was this year’s Silver Cross mother for the ceremony in Charlottetown.
She was the first to lay a wreath at the cenotaph in Charlottetown, in honour of her son.
Prior to his death, MacDougall had a special love for a cottage on the south shore of P.E.I.
His parents now aim to finish the cottage project with the help of local community organizations.
“(They) intend to offer this beach house retreat as a tribute to Scott’s memory for the families with a service person experiencing PTSD,” said MacDonald.