A Second World War vet and a Fredericton anti-war group say they support the 120 soldiers sent from Canadian Forces Base Gagetown Monday, but oppose the mission and Canada's role in the war-torn country.

When more than 2,000 people turned out at CFB Gagetown on Jan. 16 to show support for troops headed to Afghanistan, General Rick Hillier said that proved Canadians were behind the mission.

Veteran Bob Taylor disagrees.

Taylor, who fought in the Second World War, said he completely supports the troops. However, as a former soldier, he said he believes Canada's proudest moments are when troops work with the United Nations to keep peace, not fight battles under a military group like NATO.

"We're fighting for the wrong master," Taylor said. "We're fighting for NATO. We should be under the United Nations completely."

Tracy Glynn of the Fredericton Peace Coalition also opposes the Afghanistan mission.

She said the politicians and generals claim Canada is helping to reconstruct the country, but the bottom line indicates otherwise.

"From what I've read, over 90 per cent of Canadian spending in Afghanistan has gone towards military efforts with less than 10 per cent towards aid and reconstruction," Glynn said.

Both Glynn and Young said direct confrontation with the Taliban is a losing battle, because for every militant killed, more join the ranks of the rebels and the bloodshed escalates.