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van Leeuwen following in the footsteps of his grandfather. Credit: Ash van Leeuwen.
van Leeuwen in military uniform (R) and RCMP (L). There are 10 years between these two photos. Credit: Ash van Leeuwen.
van Leeuwen in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Credit: Const. van Leeuwen.
“August 5th 2006, the day we lost MCpl Ray Arndt.” Credit: Ash van Leeuwen.
Bella the Belgian Shephard, was van Leeuwen’s favourite teammate. Afghanistan, 2006. Credit: Ash van Leeuwen.
AIRBORNE. Ash van Leeuwen went from wheelchair to paratrooper within a year. Credit: Ash van Leeuwen.
Dutch, van Leeuwen’s companion in the RCMP. “After a bad day, there’s nothing better than coming home to the unconditional love of your pup.” Credit: Ash van Leeuwen.
“My birthday and first mission in Afghanistan.” February 27, 2006. Credit: Ash van Leeuwen.

Constable Ashley van Leeuwen

People say when you are having a near death experience, everything slows down. I can tell you from my experience nothing slowed down but … I can remember so much detail in every moment. I can remember all the glass from the blast shield of my turret explode and dance in front of me as the vehicle was struck.

Ashley van Leeuwen has dedicated more than 25 years to serving Canada in two uniforms: the CAF and the RCMP. He enlisted in the military in March 2000, inspired by his Dutch grandfather’s wartime experiences and a deep sense of duty to protect the freedoms he inherited. 

I think he saw the soldier in me before I did.

van Leeuwen deployed to Afghanistan in 2006, surviving a suicide attack that killed his close friend MCpl. Raymond Arndt. Despite life threatening injuries, he set a goal to become a paratrooper and earned his wings within a year. 

We had the funeral for Ray … and I’m in a wheelchair and I’m still in the gown and I got IVs dripping and I’m leaking everywhere and I still can’t walk. And some reporter put a microphone in my face and said, ‘what happens now?’ And I’m like, ‘as soon as I can, I’m going back over there.’

He deployed again in 2009, working in close protection, and mentoring Afghan forces. On the hard days, van Leeuwen drew inspiration from the military working dogs attached to his team. 

Just having the dog inherently know that was a rough one for you give you just enough of a sniff and a lick that you felt human again.

After his tours, van Leeuwen transitioned to a career with the RCMP. He was awarded the Medal of Valour for saving lives during a violent standoff. He is currently a member of Saskatchewan’s Close Protection Team, safeguarding premiers, prime ministers, and international dignitaries. van Leeuwen rejoined the reserves in 2018 and now serves with the Royal Regina Rifles alongside his work with the RCMP.

I may not need you to know all the battle honours or the regimental history, but I think people need to know that they sleep peacefully at night because good men and women are able to go take on evil.