Photo: Royal Canadian Legion
Nancy Payne of Lansdowne will serve as Canada’s 2025 National Silver Cross Mother, honouring families who have lost children in military service.
On Nov. 11, she will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, representing all Canadian families who have endured similar losses.
Payne’s son, Corporal Randy Joseph Payne, was killed in Afghanistan on April 22, 2006, when a roadside bomb struck his military vehicle.
Since his death, Payne has served as a Silver Cross Mother at her local Lansdowne Remembrance Day ceremonies, and this year she will take part in events across Canada from Nov. 1, 2025, to Oct. 31, 2026.
Her story highlights the sacrifices of Canadian service members and their families.
Nancy Payne explains how much she misses her son.
She highlighted how she felt when she received the call.
She explains what she will be thinking of when she lays the wreath.
This national role is named annually by the Royal Canadian Legion and will help raise awareness of the bravery and dedication of Canada’s military families.