Military History

As a freelance Historian and Project Manager Karen works both as a volunteer and on contract for the Military Museums and the Directorate of History and Heritage (DHH).

In 2016, with her associate, Robert Curtin, turned their passion for Canadian Military history into a business and started Combined Forces Production Collaborative with a focus on creating historical vignettes and films honouring the service and sacrifices of our armed forces.

Projects in progress:
Mission: Afghanistan; the national touring exhibit and documentary series
Independently produced film "Fallen Heroes; Their Journey Home"
Gino; A Child Of War; a compelling story about a little orphan boy in Italy during the Second World War

Karen is the Founder and Director of the Mural of Honour at the Military Museums and through the Mural she regularly teaches students about 150 years of Canadian Military History and the importance of Remembrance.

She also belongs to a group of historians, both Canadian and European, working toward the common goal of commemorating unmarked battlefields in Europe. As a volunteer, she coordinates plaque production, fundraising, and commemorative events. She has traveled with over 70 veterans and their families on these pilgrimages and lead annual battle tours.

Karen has conducted over 700 oral histories of World War II, Korean War, Peacekeeping and Afghanistan war veterans which will be donated to the Military Museums Library and Archives for research and continue to engage in veteran interviews at every opportunity.

2012: Awarded the Veteran's Affairs Commendation Medal for her work in the development of the Mural of Honour and the preservation of Canadian history in Italy.
2017: Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division). 

A native Calgarian, Tom has been passionate about Canadian history since childhood. He holds a graduate degree from the University of Calgary in Canadian military history, has published numerous articles and won several awards for history documentaries. A history teacher and school administrator until 2010, Tom has enjoyed a variety of opportunities since then as the executive director of two military history not-for-profits and most recently the Calgary Military Family Resource Centre. He has been leading battlefield tours with Special Travel International since 2018. Tom is currently enjoying golf, guitar and travel. He is married to Karen, is the proud father of a son and daughter and is a dedicated grandfather.

THE BATTLEFIELD TOUR EXPERIENCE: PROFOUND, UNIQUE AND UNFORGETTABLE: 

Ascend the marble steps of the VIMY MONUMENT, leave footprints in the sand at JUNO BEACH, walk among our fallen at the DIEPPE CANADIAN CEMETERY: A battlefield tour is a profound and unforgettable experience. It is an excursion into our past; a living history adventure that is unmatched in its impact by movies, books, games, or CIG. You will witness first-hand the courage, triumph and sacrifice of our brave soldiers and the gratitude of those they liberated.  A battlefield tour is a transformational personal journey into our past that will be forever etched in your memory and on your soul.