As a member of Canada's SILENT ARMY The Bravery of Rachel Leary the wife and best friend of Captain R S Leary killed by insurgent gunfire, is best shown by her statement given at CFB Shilo yesterday.
Capt. Richard (Steve) Leary was loyal, brave and dedicated and my very best friend and a wonderful husband, Rachel Leary said. I never doubted how much he loved and missed me.
This young woman is a member of the Silent Warriors of Canada. Men and women, family members, loved ones of troops who are fighting for the rights of others as well as canadians. To lose ones spouse in this manner is dreadful, but as she puts on a brave face in grief she states..........He believed in what he was doing, she said, on the verge of tears.
The Learys, high school sweethearts, met in their hometown of Brantford, Ont., and were married in 2002.
The public will be able to share its grief when the Shilo-based troops return from their tour of duty in the fall, Korzeniowski said.
Then there's going to be a more public service that everyone will be involved in, she said.
The event will commemorate the deaths of all Manitoba-based soldiers in Afghanistan, she said. That number now stands at 13 10 from the Patricias, and three from the 1st Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, also based in Shilo.
Provincial politicians observed a moment of silence at the Manitoba legislature Tuesday to recognize Leary's death.
We are reminded of the daily sacrifices that members of the Canadian Forces and their families make to bring peace and stability to a country torn apart by decades of war, said Premier Gary Doer.
While military families have an excellent support network in both Winnipeg and Shilo, Korzeniowski said, they often need privacy most during a time of loss.
Rachel Leary concluded her statement with a request for privacy to deal with her grief.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to this brave woman.
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
