To the calm, Mother Earth's
Waiting breast;
Duty done, Like the sun:
Going West.
Posted on 04/22/2006 6:59:06 AM PDT by fanfan
Four Canadian soldiers have been killed in an attack in the Gumbad region of Afghanistan.
The men were travelling in a G-wagon about 75 kilometres north of Kandahar when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device at about 7:30 a.m. local time, said CTV's Sarah Galashan, reporting from Kandahar.
Three of the men were killed instantly. The fourth was airlifted to hospital but died before he arrived.
Three of the men have been identified as Cpl. Matthew Dinning, Bombardier Myles Mansell, and Lieut. William Turner.
Dinning was born in Richmond Hill, Ont., and was stationed in Petawawa, Marshall was born in Victoria B.C. where he was also stationed, and Turner was from Toronto but was stationed in Edmonton.
At the request of family the military has not released the identity of the fourth victim.
The men were part of a mixed convoy of light armoured vehicles and G-wagons returning to Kandahar from Gumbad, where they had been stationed at a small outpost established in February, Galashan said.
Brig.-Gen. David Fraser held a press conference Saturday morning. He said he knew two of the soldiers personally, and praised their efforts in the region.
"Those soldiers were conducting operations to enhance the security of the area," Fraser said. "I had actually been in the area yesterday myself, talking with the local leaders. (They) had indicated that security had improved since we arrived in the area.
"They were exceptionally pleased and satisfied with the support given to them by the international community and the Canadians who were part of that community."
Fraser said an investigation into the attack is underway, and pledged troops will continue striving to establish peace in the region.
"Everybody here today is sadder, but we've redoubled our efforts to make sure we provide the hope and security and stability that Afghans expect from the international community, and that the international community will provide to them," Fraser said.
Just one day earlier Galashan had also visited the region where the four soldiers had been stationed.
"When we were visiting just yesterday they thought their operations were going quite well, that they had really made an impact on that community," she told CTV Newsnet, adding: "Certainly they were aware there were these dangers."
Sixteen Canadians, including diplomat Glyn Berry, have now lost their lives in Afghanistan since 2002.
The news comes a day after Pte. Robert Costall was honoured in a memorial service in Edmonton.
Costall, 22, of the First Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, was killed last month during firefight with Taliban insurgents at a remote base in Afghanistan.
The military is investigating the possibility that Costall's death may have been the result of friendly fire.
There are about 2,200 Canadian soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan.
The troops are committed in the region until early next year, although Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier has warned the international community may ask for continued support until a NATO-led mission ends in 2011.
To The Four
Another morning's light and onward this determined band
as they bravely hold their share of a dusty foreign land.
Always, watching, never loosing sight
of making that difference no matter what the fight.
On some thankless road these young soldiers did press on
suddenly stricken by an evil blackened wrong.
Their lives valor reddened the sand
done in by some cowards called the Telaban
They gave to us who watch and listen from far away
that thankful gift of another one of freedom's day.
By Wraith April 21,2006
More Canadians are coming in as well as a few thousand more Brits and Dutch so the degree of difficulty for the Taliban will continue to increase.
Thank you all for your kind words, and prayers.
I'll be forwarding a link to this thread to some Canadian Military people I know.
Hopefully, it will get forwarded to the families of these brave men.
Thank you.
Amen
Amen
I wish PM Harper would send over another Highland Regiment. I was in Montreal last thursday, and security and activity around Black Watch Regimental headquarters on Bleury was busy and tight. Lots of activity. I still think we need more soldiers on the ground for the summer.
Thanks for the ping. Words desert me just now.
Very much so.
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