The weekend started with the death of a Canadian SAR tech Sgt Jannick Gilbert who died saving two Canadians lives at sea. His brother SAR Techs will form the honour guard as he departs CFB Trenton on the sad journey east to Ottawa.The weekend was further saddened with the death of M/Cpl Byron Greff of 3 PPCLI Edmonton based and 4 Allies from the US Army. Also 3 Australian Instructors were shot and killed by a student of their own. 4 Afghan soldiers and 8 US Civilian employees, all died as a result of the cowardly attack on the NATO bus.
When will it end? No one can say, even though Canada is supposedly finished with a combat role, we still have just shy of 2000 personnel in country as Instructors for the Afghan Army and the National police. The remainder are primarily military Logisticians who are referred to as the “Rear Party” in military parlance. They are the men and women who are packing up Canada’s assets in Kandahar and environs.The story of our fellow soldiers from Australia, were in Afghanistan as instructors, "At around 8:30 this morning an ANA soldier named Darwish who had been serving as an ANA soldier for the past three years opened fire on a group of Australian military officers, killing three of them and injuring six others as well as one ANA officer,"
Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/canada-in-afghanistan/Afghan+soldier+kills+three+Australian+troops/5628071/story.html#ixzz1cCTlpGXX this certainly shows us that Canada may indeed expect more convoys down the Highway of Heroes.
http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=5627898&sponsor=
I am personally at odds with our Government over a few decisions that are being made, with regard to cutbacks and the possible lessening of services to our Veterans.
I am on their side with the Submarine and F-35 Issues. Canada does require subs and modern aircraft. Sadly the terrible deal the former Liberal Government made Buying old used submarines, is sadly costing us millions more in wasted Dollar$.
I attach this link from the DND which will give you the current Fleet Status of oursubmarines.
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=3979
Now as we await the return of to once again travel down the Highway of Heroes. I send prayers and condolences to the family and loved ones of this young Canadian soldier. May he rest in peace at the right hand of God.
With all this sadness PLEASE say a prayer for our Troops, Nato Allies and the families of each of these soldiers, Sailors and Airmen. The members of Canada’s Invisible Army.
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
