WOUNDED WARRIORS AND RISING STAR SINGER BASIA LYJAK TEAM FOR FAMILIES OF
INJURED SOLDIERS IN AFGHANISTAN

Waiting a Musical Video Tribute Created by an Everyday Canadian to Honour
the Mothers, Fathers, Children and Friends of Canadian Military Personnel

TORONTO, Nov. 1 /CNW/ - Waiting, a musical video tribute to the parents, children and friends of Canadian Military Personnel returning home from combat in Afghanistan, makes its debut this week on iTunes and YouTube.  The song hopes to raise public awareness and funds for woundedwarriors.ca, an independent, not-for-profit charity that helps Canadian soldiers wounded overseas, and is primarily a fundraising mechanism that supports existing programs that tend to injured soldiers.

The video features cut-ins and cut-aways to an anxious mother reading a story to her young son and daughter at bedtime as they long for the safe return of their "Daddy", a member of the Canadian military.  It is a theme echoed by Canada's woundedwarriors.ca, devoted to helping injured soldiers and their families regain their lives after combat.

The inspiration for the compelling Peter Haley ballad, sung by rising star singer Basia Lyjak, comes from the cousin of Haley's fiancée.  Lieutenant Commander Christian Hatch served three tours with the Royal Canadian Navy in Afghanistan.  He returned home to his wife and two young sons in Canada in 2006.  Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with a fatal neuro-degenerative condition known as ALS.  The agony and heartbreak of Hatch's experience in and after combat on his family is the source of Haley's lyrics.

"We are so rightly focused on our troops that we often forget the parallel hardships their loved ones are going through," says the Stouffville-based contractor. "My grandfather fought in World War 2 and my grandmother frequently talked about the untold stress on her and the family," says Haley, recalling their discussions over the years.  "When I experienced her pain first-hand, I knew I just had to relate it in song that would reach people on a deeper level."

Haley is hoping that Waiting will serve as an anthem for woundedwarriors.ca, as well as bring greater public awareness to the devastation that precedes and follows the return of injured soldiers stationed throughout the world.  He also hopes the song will generate the necessary funds for the ongoing work of the charity.  There are thousands of Canadian families who endure emotional and psychological hardships directly related to the return of their loved from combat every year.

woundedwarriors.ca President and Founder Captain Wayne Johnston calls Waiting "a heartfelt tribute to the unsung families and friends of the men and women who put their lives on the line for our freedom every single day.  The pain to the waiting families of these warriors is unfathomable and woundedwarriors.ca is committed to helping those families through the healing process."

Haley, along with producers Dave Barker and Tony Daniels and singer Lyjak, spent more than six months executing the project they hope will find its way to Canadian military bases around the world. "We believe it is important for Canadians to understand the short and long term trauma that war has on families and friends waiting for the safe return of their loved ones, as well as the stress and hardships experienced by the soldiers who fight for our freedoms 365 days a year," emphasizes Haley.

Lyjak departs from her "rocker chick" musical background for the first time to sing the melodic and gut-wrenching lyrics of Waiting, a powerful ballad with an honest, down-to-earth feel.  "I believe the song is so relatable.  Everyone has felt the feelings of loneliness, fear and anxiety that come from knowing a loved one is in harm's way."

Waiting is written by Peter Haley and produced by Dave Barker and Tony Daniels.  Video production is by Antonio Di Cicco. Visit www.woundedwarriors.ca and http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/waiting/id376260455 to hear a song clip, or donate to woundedwarriors.ca cause by downloading the audio at iTunes for only 99 cents. 

Waiting/Basia Lyjak may also be downloaded on Bandcamp  http://basia.bandcamp.com/
Plus, you can visit Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Basia-Lyjak-Waiting/129112120460737?ref=ts …to watch the entire video, and learn more about the project.

For further information:

Margo Rapport
Email:[email protected]
Phone: [phone]