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Teary farewells for Canadian soldiers
Last Updated Tue, 26 Jul 2005 15:04:16 EDT
CBC News
It was an emotional farewell for a group of Edmonton-based soldiers headed to Afghanistan Tuesday as part of a six-month reconstruction mission in the war-torn country.
About 110 soldiers with the 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade said goodbye to their families and friends Tuesday morning at the Edmonton Garrison.
Canada’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Rick Hillier, Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan and Defence Minister Bill Graham met with the soldiers later at the Edmonton International Airport for a private farewell.
As many as 1,250 Canadian soldiers will be serving in Afghanistan by February 2006. About 300 soldiers from CFB Trenton, Ont., left over the weekend.
Another 250 Canadian soldiers will be sent to the volatile Kandahar region next month, joining Tuesday’s contingency.
Graham says the soldiers will face dangers, but are highly skilled.
“These people are properly trained, this is their business, they know this is what they have to do and they know that this is a great opportunity, really, for Canada to make a difference in that part of the world,” said Graham.
Cpl. Paul Franklin, a medic who has been stationed in Afghanistan before, says he’ll be helping people in the community.
“We’ve been training for this kind of mission off and on for quite some time and I have a little bit of experience from being over there before and as long as you keep your head and wits about you, generally you’re going to be okay – just don’t go to sleep,” he said.
Hillier has warned that the mission the military is undertaking in Afghanistan is a dangerous one and could lead to combat and casualties.
American officials have warned of al-Qaeda attacks in the region.
Last Updated Tue, 26 Jul 2005 15:04:16 EDT
CBC News
It was an emotional farewell for a group of Edmonton-based soldiers headed to Afghanistan Tuesday as part of a six-month reconstruction mission in the war-torn country.
- INDEPTH: Canadian Forces abroad
About 110 soldiers with the 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade said goodbye to their families and friends Tuesday morning at the Edmonton Garrison.
Canada’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Rick Hillier, Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan and Defence Minister Bill Graham met with the soldiers later at the Edmonton International Airport for a private farewell.
As many as 1,250 Canadian soldiers will be serving in Afghanistan by February 2006. About 300 soldiers from CFB Trenton, Ont., left over the weekend.
Another 250 Canadian soldiers will be sent to the volatile Kandahar region next month, joining Tuesday’s contingency.
Graham says the soldiers will face dangers, but are highly skilled.
“These people are properly trained, this is their business, they know this is what they have to do and they know that this is a great opportunity, really, for Canada to make a difference in that part of the world,” said Graham.
Cpl. Paul Franklin, a medic who has been stationed in Afghanistan before, says he’ll be helping people in the community.
“We’ve been training for this kind of mission off and on for quite some time and I have a little bit of experience from being over there before and as long as you keep your head and wits about you, generally you’re going to be okay – just don’t go to sleep,” he said.
Hillier has warned that the mission the military is undertaking in Afghanistan is a dangerous one and could lead to combat and casualties.
American officials have warned of al-Qaeda attacks in the region.