A total of 117 Canadian soldiers have died as part of the Afghan mission since it began in 2002. In fact it was on Oct 7, 2001 the Prime Minister of the day Jean Chretien.....decided ....Although not participating at all in the opening days of the invasion, Prime Minister Jean Chrtien announced on October 7 that Canada would contribute forces to the international force being formed to conduct a campaign against terrorism. General Ray Henault, the Chief of the Defence Staff, issued preliminary orders to several CF units, as Operation Apollo was established. The Canadian commitment was originally planned to last to October 2003.
Forty Joint Task Force Two (JTF2) operators were sent to Afghanistan in December 2001, two months after then Minister of Defence, Art Eggleton, announced that Canada would be sending troops to Afghanistan to aid the removal of the Taliban.[1]
Once the regular forces were on the ground in JanuaryFebruary 2002 the Canadians were used supporting the war effort until Operation Anaconda began. During the operation, a Canadian sniper team broke, and re-broke, the kill record for a long distance sniper kill set in the Vietnam War by a U.S. Marine, Staff Sergeant Carlos Hathcock. Operation Anaconda was also the first time since the Korean War that Canadian soldiers relieved American soldiers in a combat operation. Here we are 8 1/2 years later and we are still fighting some of the most cowardly, fanatics in the world. What must Canada DO?? Pull out completely in 2011 or will the Government decide to re organise efforts in this war ravaged land. Is it any wonder that e mails and chain letters of support follow the troops around the world. NATO is conducting a major war wheteher they like it or not. This is a copy of an e mail from a friend who works on behalf of Veterans rights. Claudia from Halifax. Thankyou.
This particular Chain Letter was produced in honour of Pte Robert Costall of the 1st Bn PPCLI may his sacrifice never be forgotten. NATO stands together.
Your cell phone is in your pocket. He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.
You talk trash about your 'buddies' that aren't with you. He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.
You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls. He patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.
You complain about how hot it is He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.
You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong. He doesn't get to eat today.
Your Mom / wife / friend makes your bed and washes your clothes. He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.
You go to the mall and get your hair redone. He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.
You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over. He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.
You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight. He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.
You roll your eyes as a baby cries. He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet
You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.. He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.
You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him. He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.
You see only what the media wants you to see. He sees the broken bodies lying around him.
You stay at home and watch TV. He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.
You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable. He tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night long.
The Chain letter ends as they all do asking you to pass it on. The big Question is How Long will we be passing these letters along. Support your troops and think of them each and every day.
Message from another Veteran Wayne up in Whitehorse. Please be sure to watch for the second reading of the Clawback Bill C-201 on CPAC approximately 28 April 09
Nil SIne Labore
Robby
