God Bless Trooper Marc Diab ~ March 8th, 2009

It is with sadness to hear and post a an entry of a fallen soldier, and once again Canada comes together to grieve for our soldier, as his death brings much sorrow and sadness to the hearts and lives of his family, friends, military brothers and sisters in Afghanistan and Petawawa, and each and every member of the Dragoons as they travel this difficult journey together. I am proud of his service to our country and dedication in that which he believed in and fought for. Trooper Diab's mission is now complete. He is truly a Canadian hero and the world in which we live is a safer place because of his commitment to freedom. We will now proudly stand for him with honour, dignity, and respect. We pray that he will now rest peacefully in the arms of God. May He provide peace, comfort, and understanding to each life he touched.

Trooper Marc Diab

Our Canadian soldier was killed and four others injured when a roadside bomb exploded near their armoured vehicle while on patrol northeast of Kandahar city Sunday. Trooper Diab was participating in security operations in the Shah Wali Kot district (NE of Kandaher City) a mountainous region known as a Taliban transit point, at about 1:15 p.m. Kandahar time. when the armoured vehicle in which he was riding was hit. Trooper Marc Diab from the Royal Canadian Dragoons has been identified as the slain soldier. Diab, 22, was a member of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, based out of Petawawa, Ont.
Four other Candian soldiers were injured and evacuated by helicopter to a medical facility at the Kandahar airfield. All were listed in stable condition last night but three will be evacuated to Germany for further treatment.
The incident occurred in the Shah Wali Kot district, When reporting from Afghanistan, the Globe and Mail's Gloria Galloway said that while all areas of the country are dangerous, the region the Canadian soldiers were killed in was considered "somewhat resistant" to the Taliban. Galloway said the area north of the incident is known as a "Taliban bastion" and the soldiers could have been going to or returning from that area.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered his condolences to the family of Diab. In a statement, the prime minister said Diab paid the ultimate price for serving his country.
He said Diab was an example of the "bravery and outstanding dedication" of the Canadian Forces. Harper also wished the injured soldiers a quick recovery.
Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, the commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan, said the young soldier died in "pursuit of a noble goal."
Vance said Diab was an "energetic, enthusiastic and dedicated soldier, who loved to joke around and make people laugh."
"His friends and comrades describe him as having a large heart for such a small guy. He would give you the world if he had it," he said.
Vance said Diab was very family-orientated and was extremely close to his mother and girlfriend.
"He was avid soccer player who loved sports and outdoor activities," Vance added.
He will be missed, but always remembered by all.

"Feeling lonely is only the first stop ... but getting to wait and knowing that your waiting to go back is the hard part ... I am coming back ... I promise ... cause I was born to be a soldier ... soldier of freedom" ~Trooper Diab

Kandahar Ramp Ceremony - He's Coming HomePadres and hundreds of soldiers line the runway at Kandahar airfield during the ramp ceremony of Trooper Diab. Looking at this photo, I notice a special Padre. He had approached me at Trenton during my son's deployment to speak to me -offering me many words of comfort. It is comforting in knowing he is there with our soldiers looking over them. Photo credit: Combat Camera

Comrades of Trooper Diab, carry him to his plane bringing him home. ~Photo credit: Combat Camera

Repatriation - He is coming home

Trooper Marc Diab, 22, of Mississauga, will be repatriated tentatively on: Wednesday, March 11. 2009 at CFB Trenton. The ceremony will begin in Trenton at 2 p.m., and is expected to begin its journey down the Highway of Heroes and through Northumberland County around 3 p.m. As is tradition, county highway overpasses will be full of supporters. Please come out to the overpasses and show your respect and support for the family of Trooper Diab as he travels his journey home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Condolences If you wish to post a condolence, please add it to the comments section and I will transfer them here:

May the family and friends of Marc Diab, in their sorrow, feel blessed that they shared in his life and by the joy he brought to them. Canada has lost a good soldier, he comrades have lost a good mate, no one can truly understand what his family has lost. My thoughts are with them. ~SusanE

RIP Marc, may his family be blessed with courage and love at this time! He was always a funny, caring guy...he will always live on in our hearts just the same! ~Anonymous

RIP Marc Diab from a friend of WO Dennis Brown. ~Anonymous

My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I were deeply saddened to receive word of the death of Trooper Marc Diab with The Royal Canadian Dragoons, based in Petawawa, and of the injuries sustained by four soldiers from a roadside blast during their patrol in the Sha Wali Kot District, located north-east from Kandahar.
Despite the ever-present threat of violence and the inherent risk of the task at hand, our Canadian Forces members continue to pursue justice in a land scarred by violence and chaos. They believe that the Afghan people are entitled to the same dignity and freedom from fear we often take for granted, and which come at great cost.
Behind Trooper Diab stands the entire Canadian military family: mothers and fathers, wives and husbands, children and siblings, colleagues and comrades-at-arms. Today, we join with them and our thoughts are also with the injured. We wish them a swift and complete recovery. Rest assured that your sacrifices do not go unnoticed, and that your contributions will not be forgotten. ~Michaëlle Jean ~ Governor General of Canada

"On behalf of Canadians and of the Government of Canada, I would like to offer my most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Trooper Marc Diab, who died while serving in Afghanistan. I also send wishes for a speedy recovery to his four fellow soldiers who were injured on patrol conducting security operations.Trooper Marc Diab paid the ultimate price serving his country. His life and death serves as an example of the bravery and outstanding dedication of Canadian Forces members on this mission..." ~ Prime Minister Stephen Harper

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”. 11 Tim.1v:7my

Marc your devotion, faith, and zest for life is an example to all, keep smiling down on your family and friends.

To the family: A hero never leaves he lives in you. Always remember him and share his life with others. ~Anonymous

WE will always remember ur smile and sence of humour TROUGHOUT the hole camp and T.A group.... WE LOVE you SO MUCH!!!! R.I.P ...true ralph and my eyes u have been a hero AND we love YOU SOOOOOO MUCH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and like u keeped ur head up and was a rome model for us we will do the same for others !!!1 ~Anonymous