Words cannot being to express our gratitude to all of you for the support given to our family since the death of our son Trooper Mark Wilson. We would expect this in smaller centers that are significant to our extended family. This happens in places like Killarney, Ontario, Zurich, Ontario, and my birthplace of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. This can't happen in a larger city like London. London is just oo big! Wow! Were we wrong! The enormity of the response and support here was overwhelming. It has truly been awe-inspiring for all of us. We cannot possibly get back to each and every one of you for what we have received; your cards, your calls, your visible outpouring of tears and yellow ribbons and you love. We hope somehow that this message will convey our thanks to you.

     From the moment we were notified on Thanksgiving weekend, the Military surrounded us with warmth and care. They have been at our side since. However, I cannot begin to tell you what an effect you have had on them. These professionals are always prepared, but when they arrived in London, your outpouring was beyond what they expected. It blew them out of the water. Good for you! You don't know what this meant to Mark's comrades in Kandahar, and to Mark's wife Dawn and children Josha and Ben, and to our family.

     Thank you to our immediate and extended family, some of whom came from eastern and western Canada, from Budapest Hungary, Japan, and Rome; to our neighbours and friends; to our fellow parishioners, and especially to our pastor Father Keep; to a wonderful chaplain Father Chris Gillespie, who accompanied us to Trenton; to all who took an active role in the Mass of Resurrection for our son; to our choir, the clergy, the veterans, and so many parishioners pulling together to make accomodations for the many attendees and those who were present at the celebration; to Donohue Funeral Home, the London Police Department, the RCMP, London Firefighters, active and retired military personnel from Petawawa, London, Ottawa, and other areas - especially Lt. Col. Steve Cadden, Lt. Tim Scantlebury, and Captain Matt Reynolds, Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best, City of London officials, various dignitaries from the area, St. Peter's Cemetery, members of our school boards - especially to our elementary and secondary students who have a special place in our hearts; to the supportive local media, press, radio, and TV; to the Family Resource Centre at Wolseley Barracks and to those who helped host the reception, the Sergeant's Mess from providing food from Palasad, A&P, and from others.

     We also want to thank many others for contributing in so many ways, to area businesses and workplaces, again to Rob Szabo and Barb of the Palasad, to CAW Local 1001, Sterling Trucks in St Thomas, Hogan Pharmacy in Sarnia, The Sisters of St Joseph Hospitality Kitchen, Mount Hope N.H. staff, London and District Catholic School Board - and of course my retired buddies, the Thames Valey School Board, and on and on and on! To the many people who prayed with us from their homes and on the street, and the unmentioned people and organizations who continue to hold us in their thoughts and hearts.....THANK YOU!

     Thank you London for you Mass cards, your donations to the Dragoon Guild and other charities, and for the food we received which could feed an army.

     Please pray for all our fallen heroes in Afghanistan and the many wounded who suffer physical and emotional pain. Most of all, thank you God for leading us through this celebration of life. We are proud of our son Mark and of you, the people of London and area. We are so proud to be Canadians.

     On behalf or my wife Carolyn, our amazing sons Sean and Scott and their wives Erin and Bev, and grandsons Noah and Lucas, our wonderful daughter Andrea, and Ryan and Mark's family, our beloved grandsons Joshua and Benjamin and their cherished mom, Dawn - Thank You!

                                                 Carl and Carolyn Wilson