Kandahar Dispatches

MY SYMPATHIES GO TO THE FAMILIES OF THE FALLEN SOLDIERS I wish our troups would soon come home.

This comment is for Mary....www.combatcamera.ca will have pictures of the ramp ceremony. You may be able to find the picture you are looking for.
This one is for BS...you are right, the names of the injured are not released if they are fit enough to return to the field, and once they reach Germany, if they are coming home, will the names be released. Cpl. Dicks gave permission to allow his name to be released before he came home.
As a spouse of an infantry soldier who just returned from Afghanistan on Task Force 3-06 with 1RCR, fully understand the pain and suffering that these families now endure. He lost 9 members from his battalion, 6 alone from his own company.
To every soldier serving in our forces, whether you are in Afghanistan, Canada, where ever you may be, thank you for your service to this wonderful country!!

the canadian forces is the best damn force on the face of the earth no matter what people say! keep up the good fight troops! you will never be forgotton, R.I.P to the 8 newest fallen, you will always be loved and may your heart and thoughts soar over us and guide us and protect us for what lies ahead.

I'm a former Dragoon (Recce Sqn) and wish to pass on my condolences to the families of those killed, and prayers to the soldiers themselves in Afghanistan.

In the words of Donald R. Stanton, Chaplain to the Virginia Beach Police Department and Blackwater:

"Only Live PeaceKeepers see victory.
They see it only because others have made their eternal payments of sweat, blood, tears and life for that victory!"

We also need to continue to honor these "sheepdogs".

God Bless.

I was in the RCD's 1979-1989.I think I was on the same tank as Trooper Pentland's father in Lahr,West Germany in 1982.I was the driver and he was a gunner.Small world............

Hi Jim & Gabee......

I just want to express my deep sympathy to all of these losses and injured, but also acknowledge the tremendous courage those serving display. As a company commander with 2PPCLI in Crotia in 1993, I lost by company 2IC Capt Jim Decoste and forever I am linked to these noble warriors.

i am a soldier on leave from afghanastan, those two heros, were a model for all new people coming into the military, with cpl Dicks salute from the gurny ( one of my friends since he came in ) shows the rest of canada what type of person he is. he shows us that even though we get knocked around we WILL always get back up in one way or another, and fight back, to matt, he made me so proud of what it means to be canadian

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:9

My heart goes out to both the Stewart and Pentland families at this very sad time. As a serving Dragoon and close friend of Al Stewart, I cannot begin to imagine what his family is going through at this time. I have shared a lot of good memories from being in Bosnia with Al 2001 and from being in the same troop as him for many years. Al was a remarkable man, very devoted to his family and the military. He will not go unforgotten. Welcome home Al.

I am a Canadian native of Toronto currently serving a four year tour in the United States Marine Corps. I was recently wounded in Iraq and am now back in North Carolina. I want all are brothers serving in the Canadian Forces to know they have the support of all Americans and the United States Armed Forces. You guys are never lost or forgotten and we will always be here for you. Stay Strong.

My son Danny is currently serving in Afghanistan with the tank crew and I just want to say to him and all his comrades out there, I am thinking of you all and wish you God speed,come home safely to your families and loved ones. We are all very proud of you and you truly are Heroes. Dave D'Orsay

As a former Armd Crewmen who served with the RCD for close to 10 years in Petawawa, my heart goes out to the families who have lost a loved one.

While they release the names of the dead, the names of the injured aren't released. I have heard the reasons why they keep that quiet, so I don't expect to hear much.
Just the same, when they announced the latest unit hit was the RCD (and some other details), it leaves me curious to know if a friend of mine (from North Vancouver), might be one of the injured.

I am a mother of soldier (Kelly Mess) of the above mentioned troop. As I read the article with tears flowing I can not find the words to express the bravery and courage the men, women and families display to help make the world a better place. I truly believe the people of Afganistan will be free of these cowardly criminals but the time and price does leave me frightened. I pray for Kellys and all troops safe return to Canada. Linda/Mom

Once again my heart is hurting along with the hearts of many Canadians for the deaths of our soldiers. How do I explain to my son, who is only 7 and wanting to follow in his uncle's footsteps and become a soldier that war sometimes leaves people hurting forever. I fully support our soldiers but I can't stop feeling sad and angry everytime someone's brother, sister, spouse, son or daughter dies. Having lost a spouse early in my married life the pain still affects me today. I pray that no one has to go through that again, especially after this week. There are already enough broken hearts in our military and their families. Let us start to heal.

As a serving Navy member who remembers Sgt. Don Lucas from our basic training days many many eons ago I am filled with sadness on the passing of our comrades in arms. Even though I sail on a boat now instead of driving a LAV like I did in the reserves, I know these guys are over there doing their absolute best during trying circumstances. I remember his as a keen individual who would give you the shirt off his back… and knowing that he has joined the ranks of the fallen has made me more contemplative now that I am back with my family after a six month deployment in the same area of the world.

These ramp ceremonies are the start of a healing process that, though many try to understand, only those who have felt the call and have decided to wear the “Queen’s Green” for their country can truly appreciate. I know the guys (and girls) over there are doing their absolute best for the right reasons, and I always say a prayer for them every night. As mush as I would love to see everyone come back to Canada safe and sound, I know it is not going to happen as we help with the Afghanistan relief effort. To all of the guys serving over there, I salute you. To those who have fallen, I salute you and will pray that your families left behind will find peace.

I am very sorry for the families who are suffering from there lost of :fathers,sons,dads,brothers,husbands and friends.I think they were heros and we should make each day like it was are last....

If you were affected ,i am sorry for your lost.

I have been the recipient of a knock on the door, for my son died 3 years ago while peacekeeping in Bosnia. There is no way in this world that I could describe how much of a shock it was to open the door and see the "green suits" there. Three years later, that image will never leave my mind as I am still struggling to pick up the pieces of my shattered world.

Tuesdays ramp ceremony at Kandahar, are there any photos of the 5th casket and the soldier walking w/his close friend's beret. The parents would be relieved to see that one of the remaining 3 friends and buddies got to send David home.

The picture of the injured soldier in the hospital bed during the ramp ceremony was very powerful. Nothing more to say, that picture said it all.

As a former regular member and serving in Canada with the Cadet Instructor Cadre, it pains me to see these images of men so young, coming home for the final time. What pains me the most however, is the fact that I am a former Reg Force member and that I cannot contribute to war as these young men and women are doing

While I disagree with our government sending our troops to Afghanistan I am proud of everyone of them for taking on this task. For a nation of peacekeepers they have certainly us showed that they are ranked with the best fighting forces on earth. In the best tradition of the Medak pocket in Bosnia they demonstrate that it's not the equipment but the men who use it that make a difference. They have my deepest respect and admiration.

I feel really sad reading, this with tears
as if its one of my own family, and technically all of our Canadian soldiers
are our family. I come from a background
where I personally have lost relatives in
Vietnam, and the Gulf War.

The mood in our small community is very sombre the last couple days. The flags all fly at half mast in rememberance. Once again our community mourns the loss of two more brave soldiers.

My thoughts and prayers go out to their families.

True Heros.

I give alot of honor to our men serving for each and everyone of us. Master Cpl Allan Stewart was a good friend of mine through out high school. My heart goes out to the families in this time of need. These men are true canadian hero's. RIP AMJ love ya. Jason

WIth regards to your last sentence, all I have to say is Amen to that.