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Fallen Soldier's Photo Found in Thrift Store Jacket
15 Sep
Summary
- A soldier's photo was discovered in a jacket pocket.
- The jacket was purchased at a Barrie thrift store.
- The soldier's family connected with the jacket's buyers.
A discovered photograph of Cpl. Cole Bartsch, a Canadian soldier who died in Afghanistan in 2007, has created a profound connection between two families. The photo, found inside the pocket of a jacket purchased at a Value Village in Barrie, Ontario, was recently discovered by a local couple. Bartsch's sister, Joleen, who was in Ontario for a war memorial event near her late brother's birthday, learned of the discovery through a news report.
Joleen made arrangements to meet the couple, LeAnn Blake and her husband, in Barrie. The meeting was deeply emotional, culminating in a heartfelt embrace. Joleen expressed her gratitude, encouraging Blake to keep the photo, touched by the effort to honor her brother on a memorial nightstand. Bartsch, then 23, was one of six Canadians killed when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb. Plans are underway for the families to connect again next year, marking the 20th anniversary of Bartsch's death, ensuring his memory continues to be honored.
