NAMES OF THE FALLEN

 

From left, Sgt. George Miok, Pte. Garrett William Chidley, Sgt. Kirk Taylor and Cpl. Zachery McCormack were killed in a bomb blast on Wednesday in Afghanistan. (Sgt. Daren Kraus/DND/Canadian Press)

( FROM CBC.CA )

The soldiers were killed Wednesday, along with journalist Michelle Lang of the Calgary Herald, who was reporting on the war. The group's light-armoured vehicles were struck by an improvised explosive device in the city of Kandahar.

Reporter Michelle Lang of the Calgary Herald is the first Canadian journalist to die in Afghanistan. (Photo from Facebook)

Several soldiers and another Canadian civilian were also injured.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said it was with "very heavy hearts" that Canadians learned of the five deaths.

"The five men and women who perished are true Canadian heroes. Canadians will never forget their dedication and sacrifice," he said in a written statement.

The huge blast at about 4 a.m. local time occurred just 1,500 metres from the Dand district centre, which Canadian soldiers helped rebuild after a suicide bombing in April. The attack came during a community security patrol to gather information on the pattern of life and maintain security in the area.

On Thursday, a spokesman for the Taliban told The Associated Press that his group was responsible for the attack.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay expressed his sympathies to the families and friends of the five Canadian victims.

"Canadians will always stand proudly behind the brave men and women of the Canadian Forces, and our partners, as they courageously risk their lives every day towards our goal of a stable, strong and peaceful Afghanistan," he said in a written statement.

"Their sacrifice inspires those who will follow in our commitment to this mission and for this, the government of Canada and all Canadians will remain forever grateful."

 

'A great leader'

Ménard, the coalition commander in Kandahar, said all four soldiers and Lang were dedicated to their work.

Speaking to reporters in Kandahar, Ménard said Miok was a dedicated non-commissioned officer with Edmonton's 41 Combat Engineer Regiment. The reservist, who taught physical education in a junior high school, was a meticulous planner who always put the welfare of his soldiers first, Ménard said.

"They knew they could turn to him for advice and guidance," Ménard said. "Sgt. Miok will be remembered by his soldiers as a great leader and a devoted friend."

Ménard said Taylor was known for his humour, calm demeanour and big smile. He served with the 84 Independent Field Battery in Yarmouth.

"He was a true gunner and known to the troops as Sgt. Morale," Ménard said. "He was passionate about his job back home where he mentored troubled young adults. He brought this same enthusiasm with him to Afghanistan."

Engaged to be married

McCormack, a reservist with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, was known as a caring man who always lent a hand to others, Ménard said. He was a champion wrestler who was studying to be an electrician and was engaged to be married.

"He always had a way of raising morale by making the rest of the section laugh. He was a great soldier and an amazing friend," Ménard said.

Chidley, who was born in Cambridge, Ont., but grew up in Langley, B.C., was also eager to help and had a knack at making tough tasks seem easy by joking to lighten the mood, Ménard said. Chidley was a member of the Second Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Man.

"His close friends recall how he always beat them at video games. He loved talking about his family, especially how much fun he and his dad had together," Ménard said. "He was a great driver, the one you always wanted for difficult tasks."

Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Afghans recognized the loss.

"Your children sacrificed their lives for the people of Afghanistan and the threat of terrorism," Karzai said. "The Afghans will not forget your sacrifice."

1st Canadian journalist killed

Wednesday was the worst single day for Canadian casualties in Afghanistan since six soldiers were killed on July 4, 2007, when their large armoured vehicle struck a roadside bomb about 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar.

Since 2002, when Canada started sending soldiers to Afghanistan, 138 of them have been killed, as well as four Canadian civilians.

Lang, 34, was the first Canadian journalist to die covering the conflict. Seven journalists from other countries have been killed in Afghanistan.

She had just arrived in the country on Dec. 11 for a six-week stint.

"Despite the fact that Michelle had only been in Afghanistan for three weeks, her sensitivity and ability to connect with people touched many of us," Ménard said. "Michelle was passionate about life and inspired those around her."

Lang grew up in Vancouver and was a respected health reporter for the Herald, winning a National Newspaper Award in 2008 for beat reporting. She had also worked in Regina, Moose Jaw and Prince George.

 

Prime Minister's statement

It is with very heavy hearts that we learned that five Canadians were killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle, south of Kandahar City. On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of Sgt. George Miok, Sgt. Kirk Taylor, Cpl. Zachery McCormack and Pte. Garrett Chidley.

These four brave soldiers lost their lives seeking to help Afghans build a better future for themselves. They represent the best Canada has to offer and they perished in a far-away land, working tirelessly to advance Canadian values. We owe them a debt we can never repay.

I also offer my most sincere condolences to the loved ones of journalist Michelle Lang, who courageously risked her life reporting from one of the world's most dangerous countries. She lost her life reporting on the invaluable work being done by Canadian soldiers, aid workers and diplomats in Afghanistan. Ms. Lang was from my hometown and I know her unforeseen and tragic death is being felt in Calgary and in communities across Canada.

Our prayers also go to the families and friends of those Canadians injured in this appalling act.

The brave men and women of Canada's military face danger every day in their ongoing commitment to seeing Afghanistan flourish and stand on its own. Members of the embedded Canadian media also risk their lives to bring that story home to us.

The five men and women who perished are true Canadian heroes. Canadians will never forget their dedication and sacrifice.

Pray, just pray for the families of the fallen. Keep praying for all our military.

Live well, Laugh well, Love well,

Jesus Saves.

GOOD NEWS DOESN’T LAST LONG.

 

 

Michelle Lang of the Calgary Herald was killed in a bomb attack in Afghanistan on Wednesday.

 

( From CBC News )

Five Canadians were killed in a bomb blast Wednesday in Afghanistan — four soldiers and a Calgary Herald reporter.

Brig.-Gen. Daniel Ménard said a Canadian civilian was also wounded in the attack at about 4 p.m. local time.

Ménard said their armoured vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in the city of Kandahar. The attack came during a community security patrol to both gather information on the pattern of life and to maintain security in the area.

 

 

 

 

"The journalist was travelling with them to tell the story of what Canada's soldiers are doing in Afghanistan," he said.

Ménard said the military is notifying the families of the soldiers and more information will be provided once this has been completed.

The journalist was identified as Michelle Lang of the Calgary Herald.

Lang, 34, grew up in Vancouver and was a well-respected health reporter for the Herald, winning a National Newspaper Award in 2008 for best beat reporting. She had also worked in Regina, Moose Jaw and Prince George.

Friends described Lang, who was engaged, as bright with a sharp tongue and quick wit.

"She came across as sweet and quiet — but could bring a room down with laughter with one observation," one friend said. "She was a fabulous friend: kind, loyal, thoughtful. No number of adjectives can describe her talent, her charm or the hole she leaves in the lives of those close to her."

CBC reporter James Murray, who is stationed in Afghanistan, said: "She was the kind of journalist you would want to have here. She was kind and decent, and curious."

"She'd been in Afghanistan for just a few weeks and she had spent a lot of that time in the field, bravely going and putting on a helmet and body armour and going where the Canadian soldiers go, seeing what they did, giving a first-hand account of the Canadian mission in Afghanistan," he said.

"And reporting in that way has cost her her life," Murray said.

Witnesses described panic among local residents, as Canadian soldiers rushed to secure the area and airlift the blast victims to medical care.

Nevertheless, Ménard declared that Dand remained a "safe area" and expressed confidence that this was an isolated incident.

The death of the five Canadians comes a week after Lt. Andrew Nuttall was killed by an explosive near the village of Nakhonay in Panjwaii District, about 25 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city.

It was the worst single day for Canadian casualties in Afghanistan since six soldiers were killed on July 4, 2007, when their large armoured vehicle struck a roadside bomb on a well-used road in the Panjwaii district, about 20 kilometres southwest of the city of Kandahar.

Since 2002, when Canada started sending soldiers to Afghanistan, 138 of them have been killed.

The casualties Wednesday bring the number of Canadian civilians killed in Afghanistan to four. Lang is the first Canadian journalist to be killed while covering the conflict in Afghanistan. Seven journalists from other countries have also died.

The attack happened the same day eight Americans were killed in an attack on a military base in the eastern province of Khost.

Please pray for the families of the fallen heroes. Names will be provided as they are reported. Please continue to support our troops.

 

Live well, Laugh well, Love well,

Jesus Saves.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

 

         JENNIFER & ANGELA, LIFE LONG FRIENDS.

 

This is awful, I haven’t posted anything from our personal lives for months. Lots has happened. Might as well start with Christmas.  Around the end of November, our daughter, Jennifer calls & says they are coming down for Christmas. Well sir, I must have seemed like a little kid. It’s been almost 4 years since we saw them. We have missed them & the grand kids sooooooo bad, we’ve prayed daily for at least 2 or more years for a chance to get up to Ontario, or they get a chance to come down here. It’s finally happening.

 

JENNIFER & JENNY, LIFE LONG BEST FRIENDS

 

Sharon was in the hospital at the time & we were due to move to a different Apt. building that coming weekend. It’s a brand new building just across the parking lot from where we used to live. Sharon was discharged from hospital on Friday morning, that evening we started to move some small stuff over to the new place. Saturday, our friends & family showed up, made Sharon lay down, as they brought her bed over first. By 2 we were all moved in. Sharon was still sleeping, did she get a shock when she woke up. We still had a ton of work to do, putting everything away, but we could take our time. The grand kids were not going to be there until the 21st.

 

                                                    JAXON & NANA

                    JAXON & POPPIE

 

                   JAXON & ANNIE

We still have a lot to due yet. When Andrew, Jennifer, & those kids showed up, well I just don’t have the words to describe our emotions at the time. After the initial greetings were finished, we got down to just plain having fun.

 

                                   SMALL COLLAGE

Have Jaxon & Annie ever changed, we sat down & had serious conversations with them, they were eager to tell us everything about their lives, future plans, like going to Disney World in April. Of course we had fun goofing around, playing games, it was amazing. Of course we took a lot of pictures, I’ll just post a few for now. Have to hurry, we are going to our son’s place this evening. He got a rather large promotion at work, effective Jan. 4th, 2010. We are sooooooo proud of him.

 

 

 

 

I will post more about our Christmas later.

 

           ANNIE & JAXON

 

Live well, Laugh well, Love well,

Jesus Saves.

CHRISTMAS EVE TRAGEDY

 

 

                              LT. ANDREW NUTTALL

 

( COURTSEY OF CBC.CA/ NEWS  )

 

The body of Lt. Andrew Nuttall is on a Christmas Eve flight back to Canada from Afghanistan.

Nuttall, of Victoria, was on a routine foot patrol when he and an Afghan army soldier were killed Wednesday. An Afghan interpreter was seriously injured in the blast.

 

A few hours after Nuttall's death was announced, thousands of soldiers assembled at Kandahar Airfield for a repatriation ceremony after which Nuttall's body was loaded on a military aircraft.

The names of the Afghan soldier and interpreter were not released.

The bomb detonated near the village of Nakhonay in Panjwaii District, about 25 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city.

Nuttall, 30, belonged to the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton. He is survived by his mother Jane and father Richard.

"Andrew came to Afghanistan because he honestly thought he could make a difference to the people of Afghanistan," said Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard, commander of coalition forces in Kandahar province.

"He wanted to lead from the front and set the example, attributes he passionately displayed every time he was in front of his platoon."

Menard described Nuttall as generous, someone who always had a smile on his face and "greeted everyone he met with enthusiasm and goodwill."

"From the first day I met him, I knew Andrew was special," said Nuttall's commanding officer, Lt.-Col. Jerry Walsh.

"There was nothing that could get him down," Walsh said, describing Nuttall as a cold-water surfer, a disc jockey, a teacher and a superb athlete.

"He was everything Canadian. A young man possessed of great energy and enthusiasm for life, and so giving of everything he had to everyone else," he said.

At the time of his death, Nuttall was searching for Taliban transit routes, Menard said. "His patrol was part of our efforts to protect the people of the village from insurgents."

In British Columbia, Premier Gordon Campbell expressed deep sadness over Nuttall's death.

The premier said Nuttall "showed courage, bravery and dedication in service to his country and to all Canadians," and added the people of British Columbia send their thoughts and prayers to Nuttall's family, who live in Victoria.

During this time of family and togetherness, Campbell said, Nuttall's loss is a reminder of the sacrifices made by the members of Canada's military who work to protect the freedoms Canadians treasure.

Nuttall posted photos from Afghanistan on his Flickr account and also wrote a blog on his tour of duty. His last post, from Dec. 1, describes how much he enjoyed being part of two separate dinners to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid with locals.

He also wrote about his tour being extended. "All of us here (including me) are not worried about this extension. We all believe in what we’re doing and an extra few weeks isn't going to hurt anyone in the long run (as long as we maintain our vigilance of course). Plus if I end up getting home then, I'll get to celebrate my b-day with lots of friends and family."

It's the first death of a Canadian soldier in almost two months. Sapper Steven Marshall was killed Oct. 30 in a similar incident.

A total of 134 Canadian soldiers have been killed since the Afghan mission began in 2002.

 

Please pray for Lt. Nuttall’s family & friends. Pray for strength & guidance.  Please continue to support our troops.

 

Live well, laugh well, love well,

Jesus saves.