Hey gang I had to share this with you. Some of you know I am from CFB Trenton. I am not in the military. But have friends and family that are. Well I have to share and email. This came from and Solder at CFB Trenton. All I can say is thank you to our fallen comrades and the men and women fighting for us !

Hi Everyone;
Thanks to all of you for the phone calls and emails, assuring your support and compassion for our fallen soldiers!
Last night's ceremony was the hardest yet. The Airbus arrived at 5 PM and along with the dignitaries, VIPS and spectators - were 25 soldiers who flew home with the remains. The five families of Warrant Officer Nolan, Warrant Officer Mellish, Sergeant Stachnik, Private Cushley and Private Graham were in intense pain.
Pte Cushley was the fourth fatality (not mentioned in the news article below). Pte Graham is the fifth fatality and was killed by the USAF who mistakenly fired at the Canadians (strafe attack) from an A10 (Warthog) aircraft! Pte Graham was also an Olympian, who decided to join the forces - what a tragic loss.
The most severely injured person in the strafe attack was Private Michael Spence (son of a friend of mine who worked with me in 8 Air Maintenance Squadron). Master Warrant Office Rick Spence and his wife Christina said it will be a long road to recovery because of the head injuries and wounds that Michael suffered.
Thank you for your support for the Canadian men and women who are so bravely fighting this awful war on terrorism.
Love & prayers,


Soldiers bid farewell to five fallen comrades in solemn Kandahar ceremony


Tuesday, September 05, 2006


Canadian soldiers pay tribute to fallen comrades during a Ramp Ceremony held at Kandahar Air Field.

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (CP) - The remains of five Canadian soldiers killed Sunday and Monday in Afghanistan's volatile Panjwaii district were sent on their way home Tuesday.

In a solemn ramp ceremony at Kandahar airfield, about 800 Canadian soldiers - along with 100 from other countries - bid farewell to their fallen comrades. A procession of soldiers, squinting in the harsh desert sunlight, carried the flag-draped coffins onto the C-130 Hercules aircraft as a piper played a mournful melody.

Tears streamed down some of the pallbearers faces while others fought back tears with clenched jaws.

Soldiers belonging to the same unit as the deceased accompanied the remains onto the plane for a private goodbye. Some were pushed up the plane's ramp in wheelchairs and others limped or hobbled on crutches.

Canadian Forces spokeswoman Lieut. Sue Stefko says the plane is expected to touch down at CFB Trenton some time late Wednesday.

Canadian troops launched Operation Medusa - a massive anti-Taliban offensive - into Panjwaii Sunday. Four Canadians were killed in clashes at the start of the operation's ground portion.

Among the dead are Sgt. Shane Stachnik, Warrant Officer Frank Mellish and Warrant Officer Richard Nolan, all based at CFB Petawawa, Ont. The identity of the fourth slain soldier has not been released.

On Monday, Pte. Mark Graham was killed and more than 30 others wounded as two U.S. aircraft accidentally opened fire on Canadians during a strafing run.