In July 2006, a haunting phone call between Canadian UN peacekeeper Major Paeta Hess-von Kruedener and his wife, Cynthia Wadsworth, became a symbol of sacrifice and humanity during war. As artillery fire echoed in southern Lebanon, their conversation crackled through static—ending with Cynthia’s heartfelt “I love you.” Fifteen minutes later, the UN post was struck, killing Hess-von Kruedener and three other unarmed peacekeepers.
The tragedy, which unfolded during heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, underscores the risks faced by peacekeepers in conflict zones. Hess-von Kruedener’s story, now featured in the upcoming CGTN documentary Blue Helmets, No Borders, highlights the human cost of global peacekeeping efforts.
Premiering September 16, the film aims to amplify untold stories of courage and loss from UN missions worldwide. For diaspora communities, researchers, and global readers, it offers a poignant reminder of the individuals behind the “blue helmets”—and the families who carry their legacies forward.
