Cdn. Casualties In Afghanistan

2007

July 4: Capt. Matthew Dawe, Cpl. Jordan Anderson, Pte. Lane Watkins and Pte. Cole Bartsch of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton, Capt. Jefferson Francis from CFB Shilo, Man., and Master Cpl. Colin Bason, a reservist with the Royal Westminster Regiment in New Westminster, B.C., are among four of the six killed by a roadside bomb on the way back from a back-up mission in the troubled Panjwaii district.

June 20: Sgt. Christos Karigiannis, Cpl. Stephen Frederick Bouzane and Pte. Joel Vincent Wiebe, all of 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry killed by a roadside bomb west of Kandahar.

June 11: Trooper Darryl Caswell, 25, of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, by a roadside bomb north of Kandahar.

May 30: Master Corporal Darrell Jason Priede dies after a Chinook helicopter is apparently shot down. Five Americans and two British soldiers are also killed.May 25: Cpl. Matthew J. McCully killed during “Operation Hoover” in Zhari district. Another soldier wounded.

April 18: An unidentified Canadian soldier working with special operations forces in Afghanistan died in a non-combat related incident.

April 11: Master Cpl. Allan Stewart and Trooper Patrick James Pentland killed when their Coyote vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.\

April 8: Sgt. Donald Lucas, Cpl. Aaron E. Williams, Pte. Kevin V. Kennedy, Pte. David R. Greenslade, Cpl. Christopher P. Stannix and Cpl. Brent Poland killed when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb.

March 6: Kevin Megeney a 25-year-old reservist with the 1 Battalion of the Nova Scotia Highlanders dies in a friendly fire accident while sitting in his tent in Kandahar.

2006

Nov. 27: Chief Warrant Officer Bobby Girouard, his battalion’s regimental sergeant major, and Cpl. Albert Storm, both of the Royal Canadian Regiment based in CFB Petawawa, killed when a suicide car bomber attacked their Bison armoured personnel carrier on the outskirts of Kandahar city.

Oct. 14: Sergeant Darcy Tedford and Private Blake Williamson were killed in a rocket-propelled grenade explosion in Panjwaii distict.

Oct. 7: Trooper Mark Wilson was killed when his armouored vehicle was hit by a roadside explosion in the Panjwaii distict.

Oct. 3: Sergeant Craig Gillam and Corporal Robert Mitchell of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, based in Petawawa, Ont., killed in series of mortar, rocket attacks.

Sept. 29: Pte. Josh Klukie, 23, was killed when he stepped on an insurgent’s explosive device while on foot patrol in Kandahar province.

Sept. 18: Private David Byers and Corporals Glen Arnold, Shane Keating, and Keith Morley killed in suicide bicycle bomb attack on foot patrol in Panjwaii.

Sept. 4: Pte. Mark Graham who was based at CFB Petawawa killed when two NATO planes accidentally strafed Canadian troops in the Panjwaii district. About 30 others wounded, five seriously.

Sept. 3: Sgt. Shane Stachnik, Warrant Officer Frank Robert Mellish, Pte. William Cushley and Warrant Officer Richard Francis Nolan, all based at CFB Petawawa, Ont., killed in fighting in Panjwaii district.

Aug. 22: Cpl. David Braun, who was based at Shilo, Man., killed in a suicide bomb attack in Kandahar City.

Aug. 11: Cpl. Andrew Eykelenboom, 23, of Comox, B.C., stationed with 1st Field Ambulance, based in Edmonton, killed in suicide attack.

Aug. 9: Master Cpl. Jeffrey Walsh, 33, of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Man., killed by apparent accidental discharge of rifle.

Aug. 5: Master Cpl. Raymond Arndt, 31, of Loyal Edmonton Regiment, killed when large truck collided head-on with his G-Wagon patrol vehicle.

Aug. 3: Cpl. Christopher Reid, 34, of 1st Battalion of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, killed by roadside bomb. Three other members of same battalion killed in rocket-propelled grenade attack by Taliban forces west of Kandahar: Sgt. Vaughan Ingram, 35, Cpl. Bryce Keller, 27, and Pte. Kevin Dallaire, 22.
July 22: Cpl. Francisco Gomez, 44, of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, and Cpl. Jason Warren, 29, of Black Watch, Royal Highland Regiment of Canada, based in Montreal, killed when car packed with explosives rammed their armoured vehicle.
July 9: Cpl. Anthony Boneca, 21, reservist from Lake Superior Scottish Regiment based in Thunder Bay, Ont., killed in firefight.

May 17: Capt. Nichola Goddard, artillery officer based in Shilo, Man., with 1st Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, killed in Taliban ambush during battle in Panjwaii region. She was first Canadian woman to be killed in action while serving in combat role.

April 22: Cpl. Matthew Dinning of Richmond Hill, Ont., stationed with 2nd Canadian Mechanized Brigade in Petawawa, Ont., Bombardier Myles Mansell of Victoria, Lieut. William Turner of Toronto, stationed in Edmonton, and Cpl. Randy Payne, born in Lahr, Germany, stationed at CFB Wainright, Alta., all killed when their G-Wagon destroyed by roadside bomb near Gumbad.

March 29: Pte. Robert Costall of Edmonton, machine-gunner, killed in firefight with Taliban insurgents in Sangin district of Helmand province.

March 2: Cpl. Paul Davis of Bridgewater, N.S., and Master Cpl. Timothy Wilson of Grande Prairie, Alta., killed when their armoured vehicle ran off road in Kandahar area.

Jan. 15: Glyn Berry, British-born Canadian diplomat who had served with Foreign Affairs Department since 1977, killed in suicide bombing near Kandahar.

2005

Nov. 24: Pte. Braun Woodfield, born in Victoria and raised in Eastern Passage, N.S., killed when his armoured vehicle rolled over near Kandahar.

2004

Jan. 27: Cpl. Jamie Murphy, 26, of Conception Harbour, Nfld., killed in suicide bombing while on patrol near Kabul.

2003

Oct. 2: Sgt. Robert Short, 42, of Fredericton, and Cpl. Robbie Beerenfenger, 29, of Ottawa, killed in roadside bombing southwest of Kabul.

2002

April 17: Sgt. Marc Leger, 29, of Lancaster, Ont., Cpl. Ainsworth Dyer, 24, of Montreal, Pte. Richard Green, 21, of Mill Cove, N.S., and Pte. Nathan Smith, 27, of Tatamagouche, N.S., all killed when U.S. F-16 fighter mistakenly bombed Canadians on pre-dawn training exercise. Eight other Canadians wounded in friendly-fire incident.

Images by ‘Scratch’.

It’s the 4th of July now, and the Canada Day long weekend has drawn to a close, and ended up in a stinky pile called “Monday disguised as a Tuesday.” What this means is – a new work week with too few hours and too much work.

The last few days have been very reflective for me. I spent the last day of July remembering an old friend who left us 10 years ago. Most moving was not the family getting together to remember Bill and celebrate his spirit – but was that we were included in that family event. Bill was a character, and a cool dad – though he (like many of us) had a few too many bad habits.

That I was invited and am still a part of his family along with my wife and soon to be son also highlighted the time that has passed, and roads we’ve taken as individuals and as friends in the years since high-school, and how much I have changed from the kid I was when I met Bill. He was a cool Dad (and Faye a cool Mom) and as many times as Aud has bemoaned her parents decisions over the years – they were and are still great people.

No surprise then, when I see the strength they’ve shown and been through Paul’s injuries and recovery – and moreso how they have included us along the way. There is still a long way to go for Stumpy – but he has (in my opinion – if not his or his physio-terrorists) hit a milestone. Paul got his new ride last week. Enjoy it dude – you’ve worked yourself silly, and you’ve earned it. Along with it – you’ve earned back your independance, and proven the strength of your character. You’ve taken no prisoners, and cried no fouls. For that Ferris Bueller – you’re my hero. And the fact that I get to hang with you and your kid is just cool with me.

Now about the car… please don’t drive it anywhere near me, or my loved ones. You aren’t a very good driver – and that was when you had feet.

Last up on the reflection weekend was a surprise visit from my old buddy Kras. Self described as Bruce Wayne to my Dick Grayson Kras was a guy that taught me a few things about real life. While not always the smartest arrangement – we have had a few very entertaining weekends on the road, and many a late night at the keyboard. Getting to meet his wife and daughter at last this weekend was wonderful. You’ve done well. Take care of them friend – and they will forever take care of you. Your soul looked well. Nice change. Again – a great reminder that what was will always contribute to what is – but isn’t necessarily what would be.
Cheers all – have a good Monday dressed up as a Tuesday – see you Wednesday!

Photos stored at Flickr – ‘Scratch’.

Yeah. Media magnet – whatever. Paul did his shpiel on the news tonight. Showing off the stumpies in shorts, wheelin around.

Pretty courageous dude. I’m glad my kids will get to know him.

“Come on kids – let go to Simons house to visit Uncle Paul and Auntie Audra…”

“Awww Dad! Do we have to? Uncle Paul is gonna chase us around with the stumps again – last time we were there – he stuck them in the dip!”

I see the Hula Girl made it to the TV too! SWEET. She’s been along for the whole ride – from the dash of the G-Wagen to the hospital and home. She’s symbolic of the whole ordeal, so we’re all (those of us who’ve ridden this out) going to get her tattooed to remember the whole thing. (Something retro and cool…) I’ll be talking that one over with my artist when I get my Salmon finished next month. Can’t wait to show that one off.

Originally uploaded by ‘Scratch’.

You know – the Military (bless them) had a little issue the first time I put up a pic of Paul smiling. This time – I don’t care.

This is the first photo I have of Paul and Aud together since the blast.

I’ve known Aud for over (gasp) 17 years, and I’ve seen her in some rough times. More that she deserves. On the flipside though – she’s also been a picture of strength and pride – and for that I love her that much more. Paul has been a great man for her (despite her objections) and I couldn’t ask for better friends.

Nice to have you home Paul. And thanks for leaving the feet in Afghanistan – they were gross dude.