Throughout the Christian World Easter will be celebrated this weekend. Prayers for the poor, the oppressed and families will be heard Globally. For the families of our troops who have paid the ultimate price, it will be a time of sadness and remembrance, of a father , a son, a daughter, a spouse and a loved one. Who is no longer sitting down to enjoy an Easter meal, to hide easter Eggs or play with children and family.
The latest Soldier to be repatriated is Sgt Jason Boyes of Napanee Ontario a professional dedicated soldier.
CFB TRENTON, Ont. - Dozens of mourners and supporters huddled under umbrellas and waved Canadian flags Wednesday as the remains of the 81st soldier to be killed in Afghanistan were returned home to his grieving wife and young daughter.
The grey day matched the sombre mood at Canadian Forces Base Trenton, where a military plane cut through a fogged-out sky and steady rain to deliver the casket of 32-year-old Sgt. Jason Boyes, who was killed on Sunday while on foot patrol.
A piper played Amazing Grace as Boyes's family stood solemnly on the tarmac for his repatriation ceremony, and more than 60 supporters watched from behind the fence of the military base.
About 60 kilometres from the base is Boyes's hometown of Napanee, Ont., where news of his death was still spreading on Wednesday - sending shock waves through the community.
The Canadian flag was hung at half mast at Napanee's Royal Canadian Legion, where locals predicted Boyes's death would be a very big event once word got around to everyone in the town of about 15,000.
Like many Canadians, people in the town had grown so accustomed to hearing about military casualties in Afghanistan that it was no longer shocking, said Jim Perry, who went to high school and played sports with Boyes.
But Perry said he expects the news will soon be unescapable and that most town residents will be just as shocked as he was when he heard Boyes's name on the radio.
I didn't realize he went over there, so to hear his name over the radio was quite a surprise like - wait, I know that guy, Perry said.
He was popular in high school. He wasn't like someone you didn't know walking down the halls at school, so it's probably going to be quite a shock for people to know somebody from here died.
Legion president Jack Magilton said he's been fielding lots of calls from friends and residents seeking information about Boyes's death.
It's a small community, everyone seems to know each other and interacts with each other, and the community spirit here is very strong, he said.
We're all saddened, of course. I'm an ex-military member and I have great sympathy for these fellas. It's just a hard thing they're going through and for the families it's something else as well.
Boyes was in Afghanistan on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan, having already served in 2002 and 2006.
We lost a good Canadian and a fine soldier on Sunday. Sgt. Jason Boyes died doing something noble in the name of his country - protecting innocent Afghans so they can rebuild their communities, said Col. Jon Vance in a statement.
Boyes epitomized the warrior spirit, he was a natural leader who had proven himself time and time again in combat, added Maj. Michael Wright.
His death was a blow to the regiment and the battle group, but just this morning I received a note from Lt-.Col. David Corbould stating that having seen Sgt. Boyes off at the ramp ceremony, they were carrying on with their mission - because Jason would be damn angry if they weren't.
Boyes is survived by his widow Alison and their two-year-old daughter Mackenzie.
So as you celebrate in Church, Synagogue, Temple,or Mosque remember the Fallen and the troops who are serving.
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
