Former Elite Sniper to Appear in Kingston During Remembrance Week

Kingston WritersFest presents 20-year Canadian Armed Forces veteran and former elite sniper team leader Jody Mitic reading from his memoir Unflinching on Monday, November 9. Jody’s memoir is a powerful chronicle of the honour and sacrifice of an ordinary Canadian fighting for his country, and his reading and talk take place as part of Remembrance week celebrations, as Canadians honour those who have given their lives for our freedom.
Unflinching is an authentic portrait of military life. General Rick Hillier, former Chief of Defence Staff for the Canadian Armed Forces, praised the book: “I’ve read it all – start to finish – in one enthralled session. Unflinching is raw, personal, unforgiving, unrelenting and draws one into Jody’s life, with a vividness and a colour that’s visceral.”
Jody will talk about his personal experience in the Canadian military, through sniper training, firefights in Afghanistan, culminating on the fateful night when he stepped on a landmine and lost both of his legs below the knees.
“But his story doesn’t end there,” says Barbara Bell, artistic director of the Festival. “Jody is the perfect example of a survivor and a ‘thriver.’” Since his injury, Jody has become a model of perseverance and determination – within a year he had competed in half-marathons using his new prosthetic legs, and placed second in the Amazing Race Canada’s first season with his younger brother, Cory.
Jody is also a respected advocate for wounded veterans, people with disabilities, and amputees. He founded the Never Quit Foundation and currently sits on the Board of Directors of Won with One, an organization devoted to helping physically challenged athletes realize their dreams. He also serves on Ottawa City Council as Sports Commissioner.

Now in its seventh year, Kingston WritersFest has confirmed itself as a prime Kingston cultural event and one of the top Canadian literary festivals. Our audiences visit from as far away as British Columbia, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces, as well as from northern New York state and the eastern seaboard, and our authors come from around the world and down the block.
Jody Mitic appears on Monday, November 9, 7:30 – 8:30 pm, at historic Currie Hall on the campus of RMC. Free parking available onsite. Tickets are $17 in advance (incl. HST and handling) – $19 at the door – and are available online at kingstonwritersfest.ca and at Novel Idea Books on Princess Street.