Photo: Captain Charles Gill

How generations of military service shaped one family’s commitment to supporting veterans.

Earlier this week, we shared the moving story of Patti O’Connor’s father and how his wartime service continues to inspire her support for True Patriot Love. Today, we’re continuing our special Father’s Day series, “In His Honour,” with another powerful testament to how military service creates ripples across generations.

A Legacy Written in DNA

Alan Gill describes his attachment to and respect for the military as something “etched into his DNA”—and for good reason. His family’s connection to military service spans generations and continents, creating a tapestry of sacrifice and dedication that has profoundly shaped his worldview.

The story begins with Alan’s paternal grandfather and great-uncle, both from Yorkshire, England, who fought in the brutal trenches of France during the First World War. Their courage in the face of unimaginable conditions set the foundation for a family tradition of service that would continue through the decades.

Service Across Continents

When the Second World War erupted, the family’s commitment to service continued. One of Alan’s uncles joined the Air Force, while Alan’s father embarked on an extraordinary journey of service that would take him across Africa, India, Burma, and England. These weren’t just postings on a map—they were years of his life dedicated to protecting freedom and democracy around the world.

For families like Alan’s, military service wasn’t just a job; it was a calling that demanded everything from those who answered it.

A Five-Year-Old’s First Meeting

Alan’s most vivid early memory speaks volumes about the reality of military families during wartime. He was five years old when he first met his father—not because of abandonment or choice, but because of duty. The family finally joined his father at his posting in Malaysia, beginning a chapter that would profoundly influence Alan’s understanding of service and sacrifice.

Healing in the Family Home

What Alan witnessed in that Malaysian home reveals the often-overlooked role of military families in supporting those who serve. Young soldiers returning from jungle warfare would pass through their family home, carrying invisible wounds from their experiences. Alan’s mother became a source of healing, providing nourishing food and medical care as she could manage.

But it was his father’s quiet leadership that left the deepest impression on young Alan. Night after night, he would hear his father’s calm, quiet voice as he counselled and soothed these battle-weary men through their darkest hours. Here was leadership not of commands and orders, but of compassion and understanding—a father figure to those far from their own families.

The Imprint of Leadership

Witnessing his father’s selfless care for fellow soldiers left a lasting imprint on Alan, shaping not just his values but his lifelong commitment to supporting the military community. He learned that true strength often manifests in quiet moments of care, and that leadership means being present for others in their time of need.

This early lesson in service would guide Alan throughout his life, ultimately leading him to become a dedicated monthly donor to True Patriot Love.

A Monthly Commitment to Honor

“I’ll always support the military, and that’s why I give monthly to True Patriot Love. I like to think that, with my donation, I’m here prepared to help when needed. When someone enlists, the whole family enlists. They all need and deserve our respect and support.”

Alan’s words capture a profound truth often overlooked in discussions about military service: when someone enlists, their entire family serves alongside them. Spouses, children, parents, and siblings all make sacrifices, face uncertainties, and carry burdens that come with loving someone who has answered the call to serve.

His monthly giving represents more than financial support—it’s a continuation of his family’s legacy of service, a way to honor his father’s memory while ensuring that today’s military families receive the support they need and deserve.

The Ripple Effect of Family Service

Alan’s story illustrates how the impact of military service extends far beyond the individual who wears the uniform. His father’s example of quiet leadership and compassionate care created values that continue to benefit the military community decades later. The young boy who watched his father comfort traumatized soldiers has grown into a man who ensures that support continues for new generations of service members and their families.

Understanding the Full Picture

Behind every service member is a family that serves alongside them—a network of support that faces its own challenges, makes its own sacrifices, and demonstrates its own form of courage. These families deserve recognition not just for their support, but for their active participation in the mission of keeping our nation safe and free.

Alan’s commitment to monthly giving reflects his understanding that supporting the military means supporting the entire ecosystem of families, caregivers, and communities that make military service possible.

A Call to Continue the Legacy

This Father’s Day, Alan’s story reminds us that honoring those who have served means more than remembering their individual sacrifices. It means recognizing the families who served alongside them and ensuring that today’s military families receive the same level of support and care.

Whether through monthly giving like Alan’s or one-time donations in honor of fathers who served, each contribution helps ensure that military families receive the care, programs, and resources they need during and after service.

The legacy of service that flows through families like Alan’s doesn’t end with remembrance—it continues through action, support, and an unwavering commitment to those who serve today.

In his honour, we remember. In his honour, we serve. In his honour, we support those who continue the mission.