It is hard to believe that Canadians have been serving in Bosnia for 19 years, however that is length of time this mission has been operating. Well done Canadian Soldiers once again for Global efforts at peace. May the soldiers killed in action Rest in Peace knowing their Duty is Done.
The last of Canada's Forces are leaving Bosnia-Herzegovina after 19 years in the Balkans, the Defence Department said Monday.
Six Canadians including five officers and one non-commissioned soldier serving at NATO headquarters in Sarajevo will be returning to Canada.
Over the last two decades, Canadians have worked with the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and our UN and NATO partners, to secure a brighter future for the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina, said Defence Minister Peter MacKay in a statement.
Canada and the [Canadian Forces] can be proud of having helped make Bosnia-Herzegovina a safer and more stable place, he said.
Since September 1991, more than 40,000 Canadian soldiers served in the Balkans in a variety of missions and roles.
Over the years, 23 Forces members lost their lives while serving in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Walter Natynczyk said that when Canadians first deployed in Bosnia-Herzegovina they performing peacekeeping.
Now members of the Bosnian armed forces are serving as part of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, he said.
Canada still has a military presence in the Balkans five senior officers are serving with the NATO mission supporting the Kosovo Security Force.
On a sad note another Soldier Apprentice MWO Eric N Wilkes 4pl RCASC(A)
has been promoted to the advance party. A long serving soldier he took great pride in his Corps and in obtaining his Paratroopers wings In Memoriam we say Farewell Old Soldier Your Duty Done.
1978 A Proud Jump Instructor in Edmonton,Photo thanks to Joe Drouin another ex apprentice.
It is with great sadness that we in the Airborne Regiment Association of Canada (ARAC) learned of the passing of MWO Eric Wilkes, CD (Retired/Retrait) who served with the RCASC as an Apprentice Soldier, with the Airborne School with ALSTW in Edmonton for many years. He was an excellent Instructor and was well known for his professionalism in the Para rigger wing in Edmonton during the 70's and 80s.
On behalf of the Airborne Regiment Association of Canada, we would like to express our deepest condolences to all the members of his family and friends. He will be sadly missed by all who have known him.
MESSAGE FROM A FALLEN COMRADE
My helmet, now a halo
Wings replace my chute
To fly amongst the eagles
No Soldier would dispute
No aircraft is needed
To take me to the sky
Your prayers from below
Have lifted me so high
My spirit is my engine
No need to refuel
No runway required
A rainbow`s edge will do
No need for maps or compasses
My angels are my guides
Their strength and love have gifted me
To soar the sky with pride
The heavens here are endless
My souls now free to roam
There is no need to cry my friends
This Airborne Trooper found his home.
Unknown
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/03/29/canada-soldiers-bosnia-herzegovina.html#ixzz0jaoGKPmG
Please give a thought to all of our troops wherever they serve
Nil Sine labore
Robby
