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Jennifer and Marc Pouliot were married but eight short
years, both lucky enough to find love a second time
around after their first marriages failed.
Their love -- and their lives -- were regarded with
envy by those around them.
It seemed the two had found a way to not just cope
with the constant, everyday demands that life brings,
but to really enjoy, love and appreciate each other.
Last walk together
In fact, the day Pouliot, 49, died of a heart attack,
they'd shared a pre-lunch walk downtown together near
National Defence Headquarters where he worked, holding
hands, enjoying the warm weather that the April 1 sun
shone on them.
Jennifer left her husband at about 11:45 a.m.
following the 45-minute walk to rush off to a work
luncheon.
He was found dead just minutes later.
Forty minutes after that, she learned of his death.
One of the first things she saw after his death was
his "military bible" -- his Day-Timer that military
officials had the good sense to bring her, knowing she
would need the names and numbers found inside.
She flipped to April 1, and saw a note she'd written
to him in 2003 when he was on his way to Afghanistan.
"It is hard to tell you goodbye -- so I tell you: See
you soon, it is hard to wake up lonely and without you
-- so I keep you close in my heart and in my thoughts
always.
It is hard to BELIEVE that we will be separated yet
again -- so I don't believe it and KNOW you are here.
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is hard to need someone so much -- to need you when
you are so far away, but in my heart I can still kiss
you ever so tenderly.
"Come back to me soon my love," the English
translation of the note reads.
Pouliot had been a member of the Canadian regular
force since September 1972.
Throughout his career, his postings were many and
varied.
In 2003, he was chosen to command the Theatre
Activation Team for the deployment of the 2,000 troops
to Operation Athena in Kabul, Afghanistan for which he
received the Governor General's Meritorious Service
Medal.
In October 2004, he became Acting Director General
Logistics/J4 Material and in February 2005, he was
promoted to brigadier-general.
According to friend and relative Frank Howard, Pouliot
is someone who deserves to remembered.
"He represented to my mind much that is admirable
about our country. He was a Quebecois who had risen to
the upper levels of public service," Howard said.
Jennifer can't say enough about how the military was
there for her when her husband died, how they've
continued to be there for her as she tries to keep her
life together.
Pouliot leaves behind his wife Jennifer, daughter
Stephanie from his first marriage and his two young
daughters, Jessica, 5, and Nicole, 2.
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