On 15 August 2024, the Colonel Commandant. Major General D. Benjamin, CMM, CD (Ret’) hosted, Mrs Shirley O’Connell, at a luncheon to express the Canadian Military Engineers‘ appreciation for her work ars as the Izzy Doll Mama.
MGen Benjamin took this occasion to induct Mrs O’Connell into the Order of the Pukka Sapper (See NOTE 1 below.). Following is the text of this honour:
Mrs Shirley O’Connell has been the “Izzy Doll Mama” for almost 20 years. In this role, she has helped bring comfort to millions of children around the world who are suffering under conditions of war and from natural disasters. Through the Izzy Doll project, she has also helped inform the world of the peacekeeping and humanitarian work performed by the Canadian Forces and Canadian Military Engineers, as exemplified by Master Corporal Mark Isfeld. Mrs. O’Connell’s leadership and promotion of the Izzy Doll project has engaged Canadians of all ages, from seniors who have knitted and crocheted many of the dolls, to our youth who have been inspired by her passion as she has told the Story of the Izzy Doll.
Mrs Shirley O’Connell`s extraordinary work with the Izzy Doll project has been instrumental in delivering some two million Izzy Dolls around the world. She has made a difference in this world…. “one doll at a time.” The Izzy Doll Mama has teamed with many of our deployed Canadian Military Engineer units to deliver the Izzy Dolls. We consider her part of our CME Family because of her work to perpetuate the legacy of Mark Isfeld’s humanitarism.
The Canadian Military Engineers have long considered the Izzy Doll Mama to be part of our CME Family. Awarding Mrs O’Connell the Order of the Pukka Sapper formalizes this relationship.
NOTE 1: The Order of the Pukka Sapper. The following text is taken from the “Customs and Traditions of the Canadian Military Engineers” A-JS-007-003/JD-001, traditionally known as the “Red Book”.
- Induction into the Order of the Pukka Sapper is the highest honour the CME can bestow on individuals outside the CME to recognize those who demonstrate sterling engineer qualities and who have given outstanding service to the Engineers. The sponsoring unit should treatinducted Pukka Sappers as members of the extended CME Family.
- The origin of the Order of the Pukka Sapper is uncertain but the Hindi term pukka, meaning “genuine, of good quality, reliable,” has been adopted into English usage and has its origin in the days of British rule in India. The origin of the accompanying ritual is perhaps from a perpetuated myth that an ancient Sapper, being involved in digging a well, was so dedicated to the task that he remained at the work site for the meal break. He consumed his lunch and beerwhile hanging, inverted, from a cross-brace.
- The induction ritual normally takes place in a mess or equivalent institution. The senior Engineer present invites the inductee to join the fellowship, describes the inductee’s contribution to the Engineers, and explains the significance of the ritual to those assembled. At this point, a demonstration of how to consume a drink while in an inverted vertical position may be given. While originally requiring the consumption of an alcoholic drink, policies now allow the inductee to select an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink of choice. If necessary (and it normally is) the inductee is assisted in maintaining a headstand. After consuming the drink, the new Pukka Sapper is presented with a scroll signed by the inductor and the senior Engineer present. The full ritual is not essential unless the inductee wishes to perform the feat. Recognition is the true goal and so it is acceptable to forego the headstand and to simply present the scroll at a suitable ceremony.
- The CME Adjutant controls the issuance of numbered and registered scrolls for historical record. In order to obtain a scroll, an application form must be sent to the CME Adjutant with some basic biographical data and a short substantiation for the historical record. Application forms can be obtained on request from the CME Adjutant.