Posted on 05/27/2007 4:20:23 AM PDT by Clive
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (CP) - The mournful skirl of bagpipes echoed across the tarmac at Kandahar Airfield on Saturday as Canadian soldiers, for the first time in more than a month, sent a fallen comrade on the first leg of his long journey home.
Eight members of Cpl. Matthew McCully's squadron, their faces taut with the physical and emotional weight of the task at hand, carried his flag-draped coffin to a waiting Hercules.
On either side, hundreds of troops, including members of the Operational Mentoring and Liason Team to which McCully belonged, and the Afghan National Army soldiers he helped to train, stood stock-still in rigid salute as the coffin passed by.
Among the attendees were Lt.-Col. Rob Walker, commander of the battle group, and Brig.-Gen. Tim Grant, commander of Canadian forces in Afghanistan, who stood alongside Arif Lalani, the newly appointed Canadian ambassador to Afghanistan.
"You never get used to that," Walker said when the ramp ceremony was over.
A repatriation ceremony for McCully will likely be held on Monday at CFB Trenton, according to Capt. Nicole Meszaros, public affairs officer for 8 Wing at
the eastern Ontario base.
McCully died Friday when he stepped on an improvised explosive device during Operation Hoover, a massive, multi-pronged offensive involving Afghan, Portuguese and Canadian forces all under Walker's command.
As a member of the mentoring and liaison team, McCully was part of a group of soldiers helping to develop Afghanistan's military into a cohesive unit that NATO officials hope will one day be able to provide security without the help of coalition forces.
McCully was the 55th Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan since 2002. His death came more than a month after Master Cpl. Anthony Klumpenhouwer of the elite special forces died April 18 in a fall from a communications tower while on surveillance duty in Kandahar city.
McCully was a well-liked young man who believed in his mission and acquitted himself well on the battlefield, said Maj. Peter Sullivan, the OMLT's acting commander.
"Matt McCully was a tremendously professional soldier," Sullivan said, a limp Canadian flag flying at half-mast at a cenotaph behind him.
"I found him certainly to be a mature young man, and somebody whose company was enjoyed by all, so he will be greatly missed."
McCully, 25, would have wanted the OMLT's mission to continue, and would have been proud of how the Afghan troops he helped train performed in Friday's operation, Sullivan said.
McCully was a signals operator from 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signals Squadron based in Petawawa, Ont..
He served as a communicator and radio operator for both Afghan and Canadian troops in the field - their "lifeline," Sullivan said.
McCully was described by his fellow soldiers as a friendly and well-liked member of the team - attributes that Sullivan said helped in his work with both Afghan and Canadian colleagues.
"I think that characteristic of him, his personality, went beyond just wearing a uniform and really helped with his relationship with the Afghans as well," he said.
"He was well-respected and the interactions between Matt and his fellow soldiers and the Afghans was something that was beneficial to everyone."
McCully's friends, family and acquaintances, even total strangers who just wanted to pay their respects, were leaving photos and messages of condolence and tribute on a Facebook page set up in his memory.
"To see the happiness on Matt's face in these (pictures) is so comforting to his family," said a posting from his mother, Michelle.
"We only had him a short time, but our memories will last a lifetime."
One friend described McCully as "the kind of man who instils confidence in those around him just by being there."
"When he speaks people listen because he always has something intelligent to contribute," the message read. "I speak in the present tense because he will always be with us."
McCully was moving south to engage the enemy along with the Afghan fighters who were leading Friday's charge when the explosion occurred.
But Sullivan was quick to point out that members of the OMLT are in no more danger than any other soldiers simply because they're working with the Afghans, who have a reputation as aggressive and fearless fighters.
"We work together, we train together, we plan together, and we soldier together and fight together," Sullivan said.
"If we didn't have complete confidence in going out on operations with the Afghan National Army, we wouldn't do it."
Statement by the Minister of National Defence on the death of Corporal Matthew McCully
NR-07.043 - May 25, 2007
OTTAWA - The Honourable Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement today on the death of Corporal Matthew McCully:
"It is with great sadness that I learned today of the death of Corporal Matthew McCully.
On behalf of all our brave men and women in uniform I extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Corporal McCully. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in their time of grief. Our thoughts are also with those who were injured in the accident. We wish them a prompt recovery.
Corporal McCully was killed while conducting a joint Afghan-Canadian foot patrol - part of an initiative that enables the Afghanistan National Army to help secure peace and stability in Afghanistan and extend the legitimate authority of the Government of Afghanistan.
Through the dedication and bravery of soldiers like Corporal McCully, Canada is helping Afghans, and working with Afghans, to build a better and brighter future for Afghanistan while ensuring that Afghanistan never again becomes a base for terrorism.
The sacrifice Corporal McCully made in honour of Canada and the Canadian people will not be forgotten."
Corporal Matthew McCully was a Signals Operator, based at 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signals Squadron, Petawawa, Ontario.
Statement from the family of Corporal Matthew McCully
May 26, 2007
As the family of Matthew McCully we wish to express firsthand how proud we are of Matthew. Matthew was caring, outgoing, adventurous somewhat quiet young man. He had a "mission” and he was going to fulfill it at all costs. Matthew died doing what he wanted to do and doing what he truly believed in. Matthew will be greatly missed, he will be remembered as our and Canada's Hero. At this time we would like to extend a sincere thank you to our Canadian Army for their tremendous support to our family during this difficult time. The McCully&Monkley Family
How boring life would be if we were all the same......How nice it is to know we all have special qualities to share. Michelle L McCully
Note to the editors: The Department of National Defence is publishing this statement at the request of the family. Point of contact: Capt Chris Poulton, 39 CBG, Public Affairs Officer (604)374-6311.
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