When Jordan Anderson was 10 years old and returning to Inuvik from a trip with his family, the car he was in got a flat tire on the Dempster Highway.

With his father farther down road in another vehicle, unaware of what was happening, and his mother trying to figure out what to do, Anderson jumped into action SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½” pulling the vehicle's manual out of the glove compartment and instructing his mother how to change a tire based on what he read.

"He was walking around the vehicle, explaining how to get the tire out from under the vehicle," recalled his mother, Sheila Anderson. "He was too little to do it himself, but he could tell me how. Then, someone going south stopped and changed the tire, but Jordan still read him the instructions.

"He was really good with instructions. If you gave him a LEGO set that had instructions, he'd recreate the set the way it was supposed to be. He was a voracious reader who understood what he read."

As a child, he even took the time to read through encyclopedias.

Those closest to Jordan are keeping him in their thoughts as Remembrance Day approaches.

Born in Nunavut in 1981, Jordan moved to Inuvik with his family as a child and lived here until finishing ninth grade, when he transferred to Athol Murray College of Notre Dame High School in Wilcox, Sask., to finish high school. The family also spent two years in Tuktoyaktuk.

He was an altar boy at the Igloo Church, an active martial artist, athlete and expert cross-country skier. He later taught skiing to his military peers when they attended training exercises in the North. He signed up for the Canadian Forces after completing a few years of college at the University of Regina.

In the military, Anderson was also an avid target shooter, often travelling around the country to compete in competitions.

It was on one of these trips to Ottawa in June 2001 when he met his future wife, Amanda. After a summer of long-distance dating, she joined him in Edmonton, where he was stationed.

By the time he met Amanda, Jordan had already enlisted in the Canadian Forces, in part because of his love of adventure but also his belief in Canada helping bring peace and a better life elsewhere.

But shortly after bringing Amanda to Edmonton, the world stood still as the Twin Towers collapsed on Sept. 11, 2001 SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½” and Jordan was soon sent to Afghanistan as part of the NATO counterattack.

"That whole fall was very uncertain as to what was going on," said Amanda. "Then in February he deployed. It was a difficult tour, they lost four guys from his unit to friendly fire."

Jordan made it back to Canada in one piece. He and Amanda then formally tied the knot and purchased a house. The pair also adopted a Boston terrier named Penny and would walk her together as part of their daily routine.

"I loved his wit and intelligence," she said. "And his unique humour.

"After his tour, we had planned to renovate the house."

Anderson was an avid supporter of the Canadian Forces, but he had interests beyond the military as well. While he was enlisted, he was also working towards a degree in history and political science through the University of Manitoba.

Prior to his second deployment, Anderson re-signed with the Forces. However, while he was in hostile territory, he privately told his mother he was ready to retire after three of his fellow soldier were killed.

"He cared about the army and he believed in what he was doing," said Sheila. "He told us three days before he was killed that he was ready to retire from the infantry and go to university.

"He wanted to do a master's degree in strategic studies at the University of Calgary."

Jordan, an Afghan interpreter and five other soldiers were killed in an explosion in Kandahar on July 4, 2007.

After his death, the University of Manitoba awarded his degree posthumously. The university also named the Cpl. Jordan Anderson 'On the Ramp' bursary in his honour, and he was given a standing ovation by the audience during a ceremony.

A road, Anderson Way, was named after him at the Inuvik Forward Operating Base. Amanda Anderson, her mother Teresa Pelda and Sheila Anderson was awarded the Memorial Cross, historically known as the Silver Cross, by the Canadian Legion, in Jordan's honour in 2007. Sheila Anderson served as the Legion Silver (Memorial) Cross Mother in 2015.

Both Sheila and Amanda were later able to visit Kandahar as part of the next-of-kin trip.

"No other country does that," said Amanda. "It was very profound. I was able to step on the ground that Jordan died on. I'll never be able to see where he died, but I was able to see the active war zone where he served. That's an opportunity that Canada gave that no other country gives."

Amanda said the experience has brought her to support other military families who experience similar circumstances. She said she's available to help military and veteran widows navigate the system while they're coping with loss.

"I just wanted to mention it because the days after Jordan were so... sad and painful," she said. "This has given some purpose to those days. It gives something good out of all the lessons I've learned along the way.

"I think it takes a really long time to understand how losing someone so close to you actually impacts you. I don't think you realize all the reverberations until much later."

She said anyone who wants to reach out should contact her at canadianmilitarywidows@gmail.com for support.

Sheila said Jordan loved the North and he wished he could have spent more time here.

Amanda said above all, Jordan wanted to be remembered a normal Canadian, not celebrated as a hero.

"He believed that any individual had the power to make a difference in the world," she said. "He said to focus on the mission and the good they were doing, not the casualties.

"He's a normal guy who made the decision to serve his country. I think he would want people to know that."