Canada has lost another hero. Trooper Darryl Caswell, 25, was driving in a convoy's lead vehicle, a Coyote, was it hit a bomb en route to a remote NATO base in Kandahar province's Shahwali Kot district.
This is our 57th solider killed in action since Canada entered the war in Afghanistan. What do you think about when you hear this news?
For years Canadians have lived in a country where the average person believes that we are lovers and not fighters. "Those American's are clanging their swords again," is a common smugness of many of us, when we describe our war-mongering neighbours to the south.
Canadians have for years sat comfortably on the sofa watching episodes of the Beachcombers, W5, and the CBC News being spoon-fed our backwoods, red serge, beaver loving, quiet peaceful international demeanor.
"We are peace keepers, not warriors!" is imbedded in our collective psyche. The average Canadian truly believes that our Canadian Forces relegate themselves to guarding outposts, and shaking the hands of less fortunate nationals.
This is not even close to what we are in the eyes of countries outside our borders.
It pains me to hear one of us (citizens) belittle our Canadian Armed Forces with punch lines like, "Yeah, we sent a bus 'over there' and a box of sling-shots," when we discuss our troop's abilities and movements internationally. I have even heard someone refer to our military response as a joke, or embarrassment when we step up to the plate to contribute to the foreign policy of NATO or the UN. Do people who spew these catch phrases think for one minute that the military families in our country do not hear them and are not hurt by them? I am proud of our Armed Forces, and know that we have one of the best, trained military service in the world!
Canadian soldiers are in the line of fire.
Yes, it's true. We currently have 2,673 military personnel serving in various missions around the world, of which 2,545 of them are fighting in Afghanistan. Yes, fighting.
They are not just guarding an outpost of the USA or shaking the hands of an Afghan national. Fifty-seven of these soldiers have died by gunfire, bombs and accidents, including friendly fire incidents. Their families, friends and fellows members of the Canadian Armed Forces felt these deaths. We have a commitment to keep our troops in that country until 2009, and I wouldn't be surprised if we did not extend that beyond that date. To put a timetable on a pullout is like predicting the state of Afghanistan at a particular point in time. This is not a football game, there are no time limits on war, there never will be.
Canada is at war.
Canada is currently at war with an enemy that is virtually invisible. There are no geographic boundaries that we can neatly wrapped in a box or war fronts that can be drawn on a map. Afghanistan is being invaded by radical Muslim insurgents from neighbouring countries.
These insurgents are about to get a boost from India, because that country is threatening to kick Afghan refugees out of their country.
Some of these refugees have been in India for over 20 years, a holdover from the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. When these people are tossed back into Afghanistan, many will be recruited for survivals sake to join the Taliban. Do you think that maybe 2,545 soldiers will be enough of a contribution by Canada?
Don't be fooled, Canada is needed in Afghanistan.
This really pains me, because I have a family member currently fighting in Afghanistan in our armed forces. As a matter of fact, all members of the Canadian Armed Forces have been advised that they will be serving in that war zone. I am proud of my brother-in-law and all the members of our armed forces. As a Canadian citizen I would not have it any other way. The truth is, Canada is needed overseas, in all our international commitments, and many families of our military service sacrifice their loved ones.
They worry necessarily, they fear necessarily and they love necessarily. My sister has a rendezvous with these emotions, and hopefully her children will see there father return within the year.
So when we sit at home watching reality TV...
Remember that on the other side the globe there are real Canadian troops fighting for their lives and the lives of innocent Afghan families. When you see the Canadian flag flying at half-mast, pause and shed a tear because somewhere in Canada a family is shedding many tears. If you hear one of our fellow citizens belittle our Canadian Heroes for the sake of a joke, kindly remind that person that a brave soldier is at that moment entrenched in conflict to secure his right to mock that very soldier in that way. Get behind our government who is trying to garnish support for troops in parliament all the while playing the weak hand of a minority position. If you see a member of our Canadian forces on weekend maneuvers in our community, make a point of approaching them, if possible, shake their hands and tell them how proud of them you are. Most of all, pray for our Armed Forces and their families.
Canada is an important member the coalition involved in the war against terrorism and tyranny. Yes, we are peacekeepers, but before peace is achieved, our troops must fight to secure it.
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