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Kevin Reed is a man on a mission to get free university tuition for the children of Canada's fallen soldiers, an initiative he's dubbed Project Hero.

The Toronto-based businessman, who recently took on the role of honourary lieutenant-colonel of an army reserve unit in southwestern Ontario, is approaching schools one by one with the idea and so far he has a 100 per cent success rate.

"My perfect world, by this fall, is to have most, if not all, the Canadian universities on side for this," said Reed.

Reed was inspired to start Project Hero after talking to retired general Rick Hillier, the former chief of defence staff who stepped aside last year and became chancellor of his alma mater Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador. Hillier's plan of getting free tuition for the children of fallen soldiers is well on its way at Memorial, and Reed asked if he could run with the idea and bring it to his own alma mater, the University of Ottawa.

Allan Rock, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Ottawa, said the school was immediately attracted to the concept. It didn't take long for the school to approve the idea, and on Tuesday the university is formally announcing its free tuition offer.

"The men and women who put their lives on the line for us, as members of the armed forces, make an extraordinary contribution to Canada and Canadian life," Rock said in an interview. "It just seemed to me it was the least we could do to make sure that they didn't have to worry, that if something happened to them, their kids would have access to university without the burden of tuition fees."

The free tuition offer takes effect at the University of Ottawa this September. Children of soldiers killed while on duty who are under age 26, admitted to the university for undergraduate studies, and are Canadian citizens or permanent residents are eligible.

Rock, whose father was in the military, said he understands the risks that military families undertake and the importance of recognizing their commitment publicly. In addition to financially supporting military families, Rock said the free tuition offer is also a symbolic gesture.

"I hope it sends the message to all service personnel that we value and appreciate their services and sacrifice and that this is the least we can do to demonstrate recognition and gratification for what they are doing," said Rock, an alumnus of the University of Ottawa and former Liberal member of Parliament.

The university will waive tuition fees for a four-year undergraduate program and will cover one year in residence.

After securing the University of Ottawa's support, Reed carried on with his campaign and the University of Calgary and the University of Windsor have now both joined Project Hero and are working out the details of their offers.

Reed estimates there are about 30 or so military children, ranging from newborns to teenagers, who have had a parent killed since 2002. Canada's engagement in Afghanistan in 2002 is being used as the benchmark for eligibility but the free tuition would apply to the children of Canadian Forces members killed in any mission.

"My view is that these soldiers give the ultimate sacrifice and it's just a small part that I can do as not only the honourary lieutenant-colonel, but as a Canadian," said Reed. He is filling the volunteer position for the 31 Brigade, which includes the service units in London, Hamilton and Windsor, Ont.

"Any support we can give these families goes a long way."

The Department of National Defence does offer some assistance to the children of military members in the form of loans for post-secondary education but otherwise there is no widespread free tuition program like Project Hero.

Reed, who is originally from Belleville, Ont., has been spearheading the project mostly on his own but with the enthusiastic support he has received so far, and the University of Ottawa's formal announcement on Tuesday, word will likely spread quickly.

"Each school that I've dealt with has been so quick to accept and have been gracious in helping organize . . . that I'm so thankful to the schools," he said.
© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service

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