Posted on 03/20/2009 2:06:48 PM PDT by fanfan
KANDAHAR — Four Canadian soldiers are dead and at least eight others injured in two separate bombings outside of Kandahar city. Master Corporal Scott Vernelli and Corporal Tyler Crooks died in a blast that occurred during a morning foot patrol in the restive Zhari district, west of Kandahar. Later, Trooper Jack Bouthillier and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes were killed when a roadside bomb exploded in the Shah Wali Kot district, a region northwest of the city that's seeing an increase in Taliban activity. Brigadier-General Jonathan Vance, the commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan, is urging Canadians not to consider the deaths a failure on the part of anyone, or of the mission itself. A CH 146 Griffon helicopter arrives to airlift Canadian soldiers from the NATO-led coalition during heavy fighting against insurgents in the Taliban stronghold of Zhari district in Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan, on Friday. Brig.-Gen. Vance says the soldiers died trying to protect the Afghan people. The deaths bring to 116 the number of Canadian soldiers who have died as part of the Afghan mission since it began in 2002.
(Excerpt) Read more at theglobeandmail.com ...
RIP.
Heads up pal ...
If I were the enemy commander, I would be doing everything in my power to inflict maximum casualities on Canadians, Brits, and Aussies. The rest of the coalition partners don’t really count since they don’t fight.
The aim of this strategy is to force one or more of these countries out of the country, leaving the U.S. to go it alone. Once that happens, Obama will declare that there is no longer a consensus and he will pack up and come home as well.
The Canadians may be the first to break. No slam on their troops, they are doing a great job even without the proper support (helicopters).
Brave men in harm’s way.
God Rest them.
My condolences to the families, and my respect for these men...
Damn...I was just at a funeral last week...
...at the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.
I sincerely hope your comment was directed toward our politicians, and not our military personnel.
I just attended the funeral of a friend last week.
We, (Canada) have endured the highest casualties per capita in Afghanistan, and we haven’t broken yet.
That being said, the Prime Minister has us scheduled to leave Afghanistan (at least the pointy end) in 2011. This date was announced many months ago.
Our military is not large, and we have been on the pointy end for years and need an operational break. Most soldiers are either in Afghanistan, returning from Afghanistan, or preparing to go to Afghanistan, the rest are busy training other soldiers.
Yes, we have been relying on airlift from our coalition partners, and thank them for that, we do now however, have helicopters of our own in country.
On second thought, maybe we SHOULD leave Afghanistan:
I just finished watching this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcJn5XlbSFk
Despicable clowns.
Directly at your politicians. I know the Canadian Forces well, have served with them and worked with them over the years. Fine soldiers and I admire what Canada has done in Afghanistan. But, helicopters cost money and politicians have been unwilling to pay for the Forces that they need to advance the cause of freedome and liberty in an unsafe world. Canada can do many things that Americans cannot do because we are the designated bad guy in many parts of the world. It just takes the will and the means. Canadian soldiers have the will, they need the means.
“Canadian soldiers have the will, they need the means.”.
Agreed.
“Fine soldiers and I admire what Canada has done in Afghanistan.”
Thank You.
I’m just a little touchy right now, under the circumstances.
Thanks.
May they all rest in Peace.
Left to right: Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli, 28, Cpl. Tyler Crooks, 24, Trooper Jack Bouthillier, 20, and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes, 22, are seen in this combination photo.
"Canada is a weak and pathetic country that has a small number of good people."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2209498/posts?q=1&;page=57, and it gets worse from there.
I'm including a courtesy ping to the poster of #57, on that thread. Not that he deserves any.
Thank you all for your kind comments.
USMCPOP, Thank you so much for your son’s sacrifice, and the sacrifice of yourself and your family.
I’m very sorry for your loss.
RIP.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.