Sadness again for a Canadian family, who have lost their daughter in combat in Afghanistan.
Canadian soldier killed, 4 wounded by roadside bomb in Afghanistan
Trooper Karine Blais, 21, died at about 5 p.m. local time on Monday when the vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in the Shah Wali Kot district, said Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, the commander of Canadian troops in Kandahar. Trooper Blais has only been in country two weeks.
Trooper Blais was from the 12th Armoured Regiment of Canada based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier in Quebec. She was serving with the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment Battle Group. This waste of such a young life is terrible. This young soldier was fighting for the rights of the Afghan people, I am sure she was trying to free the women under oppressive laws that remove dignity and freedom from women. My prayers and thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this sad time. I thank them as a Canadian for their daughter who has paid the ultimate price of freedom.
May the four wounded comrades of Karine recover fully and speedily.The soldiers wounded in Monday's blast were airlifted by helicopter to a military hospital at the Kandahar airfield despite a fierce sand storm that hit the area. Two of the soldiers were being treated by medical personnel and two were released. The conditions of the two still being treated were not known.
Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, the commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan, said Blais had arrived in Afghanistan just two weeks ago. He praised the young woman's enthusiasm for the mission she was about to undertake.
She was an energetic soldier who gave 100 per cent to every challenge she faced using a unique sense of humour, based on her honesty, Vance said. Frank and direct, she demonstrated the qualities of a future leader who was respected by all members of her squadron.
He said Blais is survived by her mother Josee, grandmother Laurette and brother Billy. Her hometown was not released.
This young woman's life did not go to waste; she believed in her role in Afghanistan and her dedication to the overall mission is beyond commendable, Vance said.
On a further sad note Steven Dixon is currently continuing his hunger strike on behalf of Veterans and their rights. He is in front of the DVA building in Charlottetown. Good Luck Steven with your fight here at home.
God Bless our troops and may they be protected in their roles in Afghanistan.
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
