2011 Winner – Master Corporal Mike Trauner
Every Canadian Forces soldier accepts the risk of danger when they put on their uniform to serve their country. When danger took its best shot at the 2011 To The Top Canada Award Winner, Master Corporal Mike “Megatron” Trauner didn’t give up and chose to fight for his life, fight for his country and fight for his fellow soldiers. On December 5, 2008, Master Corporal Mike Trauner, a 12 year veteran soldier of the Infantry, was on foot patrol assigned to investigate Taliban activity in a town west of Kandahar. A remotely detonated improvised explosive device was set off and the bomb blast shot Mike six metres in the air. Mike remembers he was flying through the air for a solid four seconds. After the blast Mike discovered his legs had been blown off and his left arm and hand were pretty mangled. While receiving medical care in the field, Mike died and was brought back to life. At the base hospital, Mike also died a second time on the operating table and was brought back to life again. His left leg was amputated above the knee. His right leg was amputated just below the knee. His left arm had 3 broken bones and his left hand had 25 broken bones.
A doctor advised Mike his very best ultimate goal should only be to walk 500 metres with 2 canes. Mike then surprised everyone... Mike put his Canadian determination to work and walked 5 kilometres during The Army Run without using his wheelchair and finished!!! This was only a short 9 months after Mike's injury. After this incident his duty and service to Canada continues as Mike stills serves after his injuries with the Canadian Forces at CFB Petawawa. His determination is an inspiration to all the soldiers around him. Mike visits injured soldiers across Canada and helps counsel them in adapting to the “New Normal”. Unofficially, Mike also acts as a “Navigator” helping wounded soldiers understand and apply for the benefits that are available to them. Where the Government of Canada does have benefits in place, they have not done the best job of communicating these available benefits to injured soldiers. Until Mike, there were wounded soldiers who did not get get all the benefits they were entitled to simply because they did not know they existed. Mike also has raised $70,000.00 for the Ottawa Rehabilitation Centre where he spent 13 months learning to walk again. Mike was nominated by a Sara Sylvestre, a student in Pembroke, Ontario who was aware of his never ending fund raising efforts helping many charities in the community. Mike has previously received The Military Medal Of Valour, participated in the Olympic Torch Relay (which also had previous To The Top Canada Award Winner John Davidson running with the Olympic Torch) and was chosen to raise the IPC Flag during the Opening Ceremonies for The Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver 2010. At the Ottawa Rehabilitation Centre, the “Guardian Angel Pin” is presented to a medical staff member who epitomizes outstanding care, support and dedication to patients. All the staff at the Ottawa Rehabilitation Centre presented the “Guardian Angel Pin” to Mike, while he was still a patient, to recognize his unselfish efforts to comfort, support and be a daily inspiration to his fellow patients.
“Master Corporal Mike “Megatron” Trauner is an inspiration to all Canadians. Mike shows us that even after set backs we can still continue to reach our goals for Canada. It just takes a little longer. Mike epitomizes DETERMINATION and is a powerful example that you never fail in life until you stop trying,” commented To The Top Canada Award Founder Chris Robertson.
