There are people you meet throughout your life that instantly become your best friend and over time become like a brother to you. That is how you can describe the relationship I have with my best friend, a brother, Jason Anderson.

I met Jason in grade three when he moved to my elementary school. We shared the same passion for fishing and the outdoors, which sparked an inseparable bond. We had an annual bass fishing trip to my cottage, where at the age of 12 we would spend 10 hours a day for five days straight on the lake perfecting our craft.

We remained very close and spent a lot of time together until Jay moved to Belle River, about an hour and a half from London where we had grown up. We remained great friends over the years, though our time together was limited. When I had time off or vice versa we both took advantage of the opportunities to visit, party, tell new stories and of course, head out fishing.

The way Jay approached fishing can be compared to everything he does in his life. Jason is one of the best anglers I know, and it is not because he is lucky. He will read every magazine, watch every video and talk with any seasoned veteran to try and become better at a sport he loves so much. He is dedicated, he has passion and he is motivated to be the best that he can be at everything he does. 

 Jay comes by it naturally .  Jason's Grandfather "HAD" cancer and has been statussed as free of the dreaded disease for the last ten years. He had the heartiest form of bowel cancer known to man, but he is a fighter and is still here today.

Jason is currently in the Canadian Military, fighting to protect our nation in Afghanistan. He is risking his life to protect our nation and the people he cares so much about. All of the people involve with Typically Canadian are proud of Jason for all he does for Canada.

It is amazing how much he is giving and risking; more then most can imagine.  No matter how busy or how much he gives back Jason still wants to help out Typically Canadian and make a difference in the cancer community. Our correspondence through e-mail will better explain what kind of a person Jason is and his dedication to friends and giving back:

Jason Anderson (JA)- Hey Braatzy
Good to see you guys are really doing this. I am proud of you and there are a lot of soldiers here at 1 combat engineer regiment who are proud of you as well.
How can we send are contribution to the cause? Keep up the good work.
Sapper Jason Anderson

Kyle Braatz (KB)- Thanks a lot Jay
The boys at Typically Canadian are definitely proud of you guys, as you show
what it takes to be a Typical Canadian everyday you get up and risk your lives for all of us. Check back in a few months and the site will be updated. We will have all kinds of new features; online and mail donations are some of them.
Thanks for the support buddy! Hopefully talk soon

JA- Hey Kyle
I need some personal info on you in regards to Typically Canadian. You have always been a brother to me, so I will not take no for an answer. I need it for a document I fill out before I leave for Afghanistan. If I die, I get two years tax free pay to give to anybody I want. I know how much you believe in what you are doing and I believe in it too. I am going to leave 1 year to Typically Canadian, because like you put it we are both Typical Canadians and damn proud of it. It is guys like you and your buddies that make it easy for me to stand in the face of danger for our flag. I might not get a chance to check out the site in 3 months because are schedule is just crazy right now, with it being so close to deployment…….(continues)

That last e-mail nearly brought me to tears as one of my best friends spoke of the realities of Afghanistan and even when he should have been thinking about himself, keeping himself safe, he is willing to sacrifice so much for the cause.

Jason is a Yellow Jersey honouree, not because of what he has given to Typically Canadian (a substantial donation, and organization of local fundraisers in Edmonton), but because of what he is willing to give up. Jason is dedicated to protecting our nation, and that is why he joined the military. Jay feels this is just another opportunity to protect Canadian Citizens, by giving back to the cancer community, by contributing to the eradication of cancer.

Jason I miss you a lot and I am so proud to be able to honour your generosity through the Typically Canadian cause. You are a true hero and I look forward to more fishing trips in the near future. Stay safe and thank you for your contributions to the TCG cause. See you soon.

The Typically Canadian Group is riding with Sapper Jason Anderson...

Who are you riding with?