Four Canadian soldiers killed in two separate bombings in Afghanistan Condolences to their loved ones. May they RIP.
Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli and Cpl. Tyler Crooks died in a blast that occurred during a morning foot patrol in the restive Zhari district west of Kandahar.Both RCR's from 1st Battalion Royal Canadian regiment and 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment respectively.
Trooper Jack Bouthillier Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes were killed when a roadside bomb exploded in the Shah Wali Kot district, a region northwest of the city that's seeing an increase in Taliban activity. Both of the Royal Canadian Dragoons
Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, the commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan, is urging Canadians not to consider the deaths a failure on the part of anyone, or of the mission itself.
Vance says the soldiers died trying to protect the Afghan people. An afhgan interpreter died as well.
M/Cpl Scott Vernelli leaves behind a six month old daughter Olivia who will never see nor remember her father, he left for Afghanistan a few days after she was born.
Vernelli and Crooks were both well-known and popular with other soldiers in the company, which is on the cusp of finishing a six-month tour.
Both men were close with the commander of November Company, Maj. Rob McBride, who often joked with Crooks over the radio about sports.
They were close friends of his, said Reeves.
Such was his respect for Crooks that McBride supported the young soldier as a candidate for officer training.
He was getting ready to (be) on that path to be commissioned from the ranks, Reeves said. He would have been good.
The bond McBride had with Vernelli, a veteran of a previous stint in Afghanistan, was just as strong.
The new father of a six-month-old girl was interested in returning to the battle-ravaged region, but wanted more of a challenge than being in one of the platoons.
He wanted a role that he would be able to contribute and do something interesting and more hands on, Reeves said solemnly.
So when he was deliberating whether he wanted to come back, the (officer commanding) got wind of that and said: 'Come back. Come back and we'll make this a really good tour.
Bouthillier was described by Vance as a fine athlete with a outstanding sense of humour.
The general also praised Hayes for his bravery.
His friends remember him not only as a friend and a comrade in arms but a brother who inspired them to stand up in the face of danger and do what was right, Vance said in his statement.
As we prepare for another repatriation ceremony of our soldiers killed in action. I cannot help but reflect on stories that have been in the news lately. One is the forbidding entry to Canada of George Galloway a British MP and a taliban,hamas,hezbollah supporter. Why would we want or need this man in Canada where he can preach against our troops. The other story was of NDP MP Olivia Chow and Liberal MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj visiting a traitor of the American Forces in a jail in SanDiego. All of these so called resisters (read Deserters) should be returned forthwith to the USA. All MP's should be more concerned with Canadian matters not US internal matters.
As our prayers go out to our 8 wounded we wish them a speedy and full recovery. A prayer for the families and loved ones of our 4 men who have paid the ultimate price for Queen and Country.
On a Happy Note a big Welcome Home to Nurse Laura Archer a PEI raised girl. Who has been servig with Medecine sans frontiers and was taken Hostage in Darfur Region. Welcome home Brave Canadian.
Safely home in Montreal Airport. Well done Laura.
Nil SIne Labore
Robby
