The Right Honourable Stephen Harper Prime Minister of Canada has dropped the writ. This means an election on 14 Oct.
I was going to write about the upcoming election but sadly we have lost yet another member of the PPCLI and seven wounded in Afghanistan.
Canadian soldier killed, 7 wounded in Afghanistan CBC News
One Canadian soldier was killed and seven others wounded Sunday during a roadside bomb explosion in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar province, a military official said. Sgt. Prescott (Scott) Shipway was killed after his armoured vehicle struck a roadside bomb during a security patrol in the Panjwaii district of southern Afghanistan. (DND)
Sgt. Scott Shipway died after his armoured vehicle struck an improvised explosive device during a security patrol around 12:30 p.m. local time, said Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson.
The wounded soldiers were reported in good condition and were well enough to telephone their families.
The Afghan National Army helped secure the scene and the Canadian casualties were moved to the closest safe area, Thompson told reporters at Kandahar Airfield.
Shipway was with the 2nd Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Man. He was on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan and was only one week away from returning home, military officials said.
They said he will be remembered by his friends as a dedicated father and Saskatchewan Roughriders fan, as well as a strong platoon leader who served in Bosnia, Kosovo and Cyprus.
The troops in his platoon loved him and referred to him as Papa Shipway. He was very loyal to his friends and his motto was 'Never let a comrade down,' Thompson said.
I pass on to the families of the wounded and indeed to Sgt Shipway's loved ones our prayers and condolences. Once again a soldier on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan has died for freedom and democracy. In paying the ultimate price, his children will never share fishing, ball or anything with him again. May all their memories be filled with love.
With the election looming in a little over a month it is time to consider who is the best leader for our country. Stephen Harper is at the helm currently and it would be a disastrous mistake to replace him with either of the other two. I urge veterans and serving members to give their vote to the one man and one party that cares for them and their welfare. Forget pension clawback for the moment and think of our troops. Think who has inherited the Afghani conflict and is supplying our troops with what they require to win this war. Think of Prime Minister Harpers pull out programme for 2011. But most of all think of our troops and of their families. The Silent Army The LIBERALS put our troops there !!
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
