Pte. Tyler William Todd was 26 years old and based out of Edmonton. (DND) By The Canadian Press
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - One Canadian soldier has been killed in a powerful roadside bomb blast while on foot patrol in a volatile community southwest of Kandahar City.
The attack that killed Pte. Tyler William Todd, 26, happened early Sunday near the community of Belanday, about eight kilometres outside of the provincial capital.
Brig.-Gen. Dan Menard, the commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan, says Todd was on a routine patrol to learn more about the people of the village and their needs.
The area is a known transit route for taliban cowards, who use the arid grape and wheat fields as staging areas for attacks into the city itself.
The Canadian battle group supported a Afghan National Army sweep of the area further south of Belanday a few weeks ago and had been assured by villagers that the taliban had fled.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper expressed his deepest condolences to Todd's family and friends.A statement from the prime minister's office said another Canadian soldier had been injured in the same incident. The Canadian military didn't confirm the injury as it no longer releases information on those wounded on the battlefield.
Governor General Michaelle Jean also expressed her sadness upon hearing the news.
Our thoughts are with the family, loved ones and colleagues of the courageous and generous Private Tyler William Todd, and we would like to offer them our most sincere condolences and deepest sympathy, she said in a statement.
His noble sacrifice will remain forever etched in our memory.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay extended his deepest sympathies to Pte. Todd's family and friends, and praised Todd's professionalism.
Todd was from Kitchener, Ont., but based in Edmonton with the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.
His death brings to 142 the number of Canadian soldiers killed since the Afghan mission began in 2001
More than 1,500 Canadian and NATO soldiers attended a ramp ceremony Monday morning at the Kandahar Airfield for Pte. Tyler William Todd.
His friend, Pte. Christian Winter of Vancouver, delivered a tearful tribute, saying Todd had a way of keeping his buddies happy all the time. Winter said it was a privilege to have known Todd, adding that his death was a terrible loss for the platoon.
May Pte.Todds family and his brothers in arms find peace and solace, knowing that he is now with the greatest advance party of all. May the members of Canada's Invisible Army stand in honour along the Highway of Heroes as he is returned to his native land. May he rest in p[eace at the right side of our Lord. He will never be forgotten.
On a pleasanter event. HMCS Fredricton Canada's own Stalker of the Seas is headed home to Halifax , after 6 months of anti piracy patrol.
HMCS FREDERICTON has completed her transit through the Suez Canal and we can finally announce that the Stalker of the Seas is in the Mediterranean Sea. The Trip Tracker, a spreadsheet containing data pertaining to the duration of the trip, reports a staggering 161 deployed days since departing Halifax. With the majority of the deployment now completed, spirits are high, the team remains focused and preparations are well on their way for the ships company to enjoy the final port visits that OP SAIPH has to offer.
From HMCS FREDERICTON to everyone back home, we hope to see you next month, 4 May 2010, to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Canadian Navy. HMCS FREDERICTON will return after successfully completing Op SAIPH ROTO 0 and Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) will be granted Freedom of the City by the Mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality. It will certainly be a special day in Halifax.
Please show your support for our troops and say a prayer for Pte Todd of 1st Bn PPCLI
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
