A soldier from Saskatchewan who was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan on Tuesday had dreamed of being in the military since he was a young boy and was proud of his Kandahar mission, his family said.

Cpl. David Braun was killed while on patrol near downtown Kandahar when an insurgent bomber plowed his explosives-laden car into a Canadian convoy and detonated the bomb. Three other soldiers were injured.

The body of Cpl. David Braun, from CFB Shilo, Man., is carried onto a C-130 Hercules aircraft at the Kandahar airfield in Afghanistan on Wednesday. Braun was killed in a suicide attack in Kandahar the day before.
(Terry Pedwell/Canadian Press)

"Ever since David was 12 years old, his dream was to be in the military," his mother, Patty Braun, said in a statement.

She said that on two occasions, when he was home for leave, he came to the school in his hometown of Raymore, Sask., and spoke to students about "not only his job, but his passion," Braun said.

"We know that David died doing a job that he loved and something he believed in. We are very proud of his bravery and ask that you support our troops."

Cpl. David Braun was killed in a suicide attack on Tuesday in Kandahar.
(DND/Canadian Press)

PM extends sympathies

Prime Minister Stephen Harper also extended his sympathies to the family and friends.

"Our country honours this brave soldier, who exemplifies the best that Canada has to offer," Harper said in a statement Wednesday. "While deeply saddened by his loss, I hope his family may find some comfort in knowing that Canadians share their sorrow.

"We are proud of Cpl. Braun's contribution to our mission in Afghanistan, and of all our Canadian Forces men and women who soldier on in the name of democratic values and freedom."

The three other Canadian soldiers injured in the attack were in good condition Wednesday. Harper extended wishes for their speedy recovery.

Braun was a "fine young man," said Gen. Rick Hillier, Canada's top soldier.

"We lost a soldier yesterday, a fine young man, and obviously our thoughts, our prayers are with his family during this, the worst days of their lives," Hillier said after a speaking engagement in St. John's.

Braun was a member of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

Military officials said the body is expected to be returned to Canada by Friday. A ramp ceremony was held at the Kandahar airfield on Wednesday. Braun's casket was carried onto a C-130 Hercules aircraft.

Canadians share in grief: Jean

Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean said in a statement that all Canadians share in the grief felt by Braun's family.

"I know that all Canadians empathize with the deep sorrow felt by the family, friends and colleagues of this young man, who willingly gave his heart and soul so that the Afghan people could have a better future," she said.

Two hours after the suicide attack, a 10-year-old Afghan boy was shot and killed by a Canadian soldier at the site of the suicide attack. He was a passenger on a motorcycle that crossed the security perimeter of the site.

Soldiers warned the driver, a 17-year-old Afghan, to stop, but he failed to do so and a soldier opened fire, with one bullet passing through the driver and killing his passenger.

The body of the boy has been returned to his parents, while the teenager was taken to hospital at Kandahar airfield and is listed in stable condition.

Braun is the 27th Canadian soldier to be killed in Afghanistan since Canada first sent troops there in early 2002.