Tuesday, June 16, 2009

God Bless Cpl. Martin Dube - Sunday, June 14th 2009

Our hearts are heavy as we learn the news of a fallen Canadian Soldier. 35 year old Cpl Martin Dube was killed Sunday afternoon in southern Afghanistan, when the roadside bomb he was trying to defuse exploded 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City. Cpl Dube served with the 5e Regiment du Genie de Combat, the combat engineer regiment based in Valcartier, near Quebec City.

Corporal Martin Dubé

Corporal Dubé was responding to a call to neutralize two IEDs when one of them exploded.Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our fallen comrade during this very difficult time.
Un soldat des forces canadiennes a été tué suite à l’explosion d’un engin explosive improvise (EEI). L’incident s’est produit dans les environs du district de Panjwayi, à environ 20 km au sud-ouest de Kandahar City, vers 12 h 30, heure de Kandahar, le 14 juin 2009.A été tué au combat le caporal Martin Dubé du 5e Régiment de génie de combat basé à la Base des Forces canadiennes Valcartier près de Québec. Il servait à titre de membre du Quartier-général de la Force opérationnelle Interarmées Afghanistan. Le caporal Dubé répondait à un appel pour neutraliser deux EEI lorsqu’un d'eux a explosé.

Comrades Say Goodbye
More than 2000 soldiers and civilians alike gathered at Kandahar Airfield on Monday night to pay their respects to Cpl. Martin Dubé as his body began its final journey home.


His casket was loaded onto a transport plane in an evening ramp ceremony.
"In his desire to make a difference, he gave his life suddenly, without warning," Padre Bastien Leclerc told the crowd assembled on the tarmac.
"We will all miss his infectious smile, his determination, and his will to make this part of the world a better place to live."
The 35-year-old soldier was remembered during the sombre nighttime ceremony as a likable soldier with a special ability to lift the spirits of those around him.
"Cpl. Dube had a personal mission: live life to the fullest and make everyone he met laugh," Padre Bastien Leclerc, Task Force Kandahar's senior chaplain, told attendees who stood at attention as Dube's casket was loaded onto a Hercules transport plane. "He lifted the morale of everyone around him, including his superiors. His enthusiasm and energy was contagious."
Maj. Leclerc praised Dube as a talented combat engineer proud of his profession and whose work saved many lives.
"God of all life, you see tonight, all gathered to say farewell to our fallen comrade Martin Dube," Leclerc said. "In his desire to make a difference, he gave his life suddenly, without warning. We will all miss his infectious smile, his determination and his will to make this part of the world a better place to live. Now we have to let him go. He is going back home with his loved ones. But in our faith, we are confident that you have welcomed him in your presence."
Lt.-Col. Mike Gilmore, chief engineer for Task Force Kandahar, said before the ceremony that Dube came to Afghanistan with a sincere desire to help others.
"He will be remembered as an energetic soldier with an infectious smile," Gilmore said. "He was a pleasure to work with."
In a statement released Monday, Dube's family praised his commitment to the Afghan mission.
"He always strived to help others and that can explain why he firmly believed he was making a difference with the Afghan people alongside his fellow soldiers," the statement read. "We can't help but support and admire such altruism."
Dube was raised in the Quebec City area and he leaves behind his parents, brother and girlfriend.
"There is no greater sadness for parents than to lose a child. Martin was an upright, curious and intelligent person who liked to get to the bottom of things," the family said, noting he was very close to his younger brother.
"Your departure leaves a great void. Go, son, you can rest in peace now," the statement said.

Dubé is survived by his parents Marie-Paule and Roger, brother Vincent and girlfriend Julie.

REPATRIATION (He's coming home)
The tentative date and time of repatriation at CFB Trenton is 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 17. After the ramp ceremony at the armed forces base, the procession will move out to travel the Highway of Heroes to Toronto. Please join others in standing on the overpasses and honour our fallen soldier for his brave committment and let's show the Dube family we support them and stand with them. Wear red and wave your flag proudly in his honour. Chimo Cpl Dube.

WORDS OF CONDOLENCE: If you wish to leave words of condolence for Cpl Dube, please post them in the comment section and I will transfer below:

It is with profound sorrow that I learned of the death of Corporal Martin Dubé, today in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones as they deal with this tragic loss. I also want to offer my sympathies to the friends and family of the Afghan police officer who was killed and a quick recovery to the Afghan interpreter injured in this incident.Our UN-sanctioned, NATO-led mission in Afghanistan remains a challenging one. The mission poses many risks to the members of the Canadian Forces, but the Government of Canada and its international allies are committed to helping the people of Afghanistan rebuild their country. Canadians know their brave men and women in uniform are resilient and continue to make a difference in a very challenging environment.All Canadians will remain eternally grateful for the sacrifices made by Cpl. Dubé. He will not be forgotten."
Peter MacKay,
Minister of National Defence

My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Corporal Martin Dube, who died as a result of the detonation of an improvised explosive device, 20 km of Kandahar City. Corporal Dube was a member of 5e Regiment de genie de combat, based at Canadian Forces Base ValcartierWith a deep sense of duty and unfailing commitment, he risked his/her life to defend the values we hold dear. With determination and selflessness, he spared no effort to ensure the safety of the Afghan population who, legitimately and more than anything else, aspires to security, justice and equality. His daily dedication in this dangerous assignment deserves our unconditional admiration.We join all Canadians in offering our sincerest condolences to his grieving family, fellow members of the Canadian Forces, and all those who loved him. It is our hope that your memories of him and the time you spent together comfort you in your grief. May the memory of his inner strength help you rely on your own.
Michaelle Jean

Five generations of my family have served in the military. We have all lost friends in the service of our country. On behalf of my family, please accept our condolences for your loss and our thanks and respect for your sacrifice. ~ Annonymous

Monday, June 08, 2009

God Bless Pte. Alexandre Peloquin - June 08th, 2009

Our hearts are heavy as we learn of the news that Private Alexandre Péloquin was killed on June 8, 2009. Our thoughts and prayers turn to his family and friends- his comrades both here and in Afghanistan. Thank you Pte Peloquin - you shall always be remembered.

Private Alexandre Péloquin
A Canadian soldier was killed when an explosive device detonated during a foot patrol in the Panjwai District. The incident took place in an area south-west of Kandahar City at around 09:20 a.m., Kandahar time, June 8, 2009.Killed in action was Private Alexandre Peloquin from the 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Regiment based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier near Quebec City. He was serving as a member of the 2e Bataillon, Royal 22e Regiment Battle Group. The soldier was evacuated by helicopter to the Multi-National Medical Facility at the Kandahar Airfield.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our fallen comrade during this very difficult time. While our ultimate goal remains to leave Afghanistan to Afghans, in a country that is better governed, more peaceful, and more secure; let's not consider the tragic death of our soldiers as a failure of our mission as this is precisely what our enemy is counting on. Our collective efforts here are making a noticeable difference in helping Afghans reclaim their lives from oppression and despicable living conditions.
Le soldat Alexandre Péloquin a été tué lorsqu’un engin explosif a explosé pendant une patrouille à pied dans le district de Panjwai. L’incident a eu lieu dans une région au sud-ouest de Kandahar City vers 09 h 20, heure de Kandahar, le 08 juin 2009. Le soldat Alexandre Péloquin du 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment basé à la Base des Forces canadiennes Valcartier près de Québec. Il servait à titre de membre du groupement tactique du 2e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment.
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He is Coming Home -
The Ramp Ceremony in Kandahar

"He was great soldier," Lt. Col. Jocelyn Paul, the commander of Peloquin's battle group, told reporters before the ceremony, "someone everyone liked. He was a strong man, tall. Someone who left a mark on everyone."It's a very tough day."
Private Alexandre Péloquin was remembered Tuesday night as a courageous and inspirational soldier. "God of love, we thank you for the life of Private Alexandre Peloquin," Padre Normand Cholette said Tuesday night at an emotional ramp ceremony at Kandahar Airfield. "We pray for his family, and may they know that we hold them in prayer at these difficult times. May we bring the same inspiration and energy to the mission as he did, so that we may honour his memory and the ultimate sacrifice that he has made for the peace and the well-being of this country."
Cholette, the chaplain of the 22nd Royal Regiment with which Peloquin was serving, delivered the prayer before Pte. Peloquin was boarded on the final flight home.
More than 2,000 mourners stood at attention on the tarmac during the sombre ceremony, when the only sound was the drone of the Hercules plane that sat waiting to begin the journey to Canada.
Members of Peloquin's battalion climbed aboard the plane after his flag-draped casket was loaded to pay their last respects to a friend and fellow soldier.

He is Home - Repatriation in Trenton, ON



Our fallen soldier, Private Alexandre Péloquin, from the 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier near Quebec City, returns home to Canada on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 2:00 pm at 8 Wing, Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario.
Present to pay their respects were Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, Mr. Laurie Hawn, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, Chief of the Defence Staff, General Walt Natynczyk and other dignitaries.




WORDS OF CONDOLENCE
If you wish to leave words of condolence for Pte. Peloquin, please enter them in the comment section and I will transfer them below.

My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I have just learned the sad news of the death of Private Alexandre Peloquin, a member of the 2e Bataillon, Royal 22e Regiment. He was on patrol in an area southwest of Kandahar, Afghanistan, when he was killed by an explosive device. The increasingly sophisticated bombs of the insurgents are becoming more and more deadly.We salute Private Alexandre Peloquin's courage and sense of duty, which he demonstrated throughout this difficult and dangerous mission, knowing as he did the importance of re-establishing security and hope in an ideal of justice in Afghanistan.
Our hearts go out to his family, loved ones and Canadian Forces comrades as they mourn this terrible loss. May they take comfort in knowing that Canadians are with them in thought and extend to them their deepest sympathies.
Michaelle Jean

Mon mari Jean-Daniel Lafond et moi venons d'apprendre la triste nouvelle du décès du soldat Alexandre Péloquin, un membre du 2e bataillon, du Royal 22e Régiment. Il participait à une patrouille au sud-ouest de Kandahar, en Afghanistan, et a été tué par un engin explosif. Les bombes de plus en plus sophistiquées des insurgés se font toujours plus meurtrières.Nous saluons le courage et le sens du devoir dont le soldat Alexandre Péloquin a fait preuve dans le cadre de cette mission difficile et périlleuse, convaincu qu'il était de l'importance de rétablir la sécurité et l'espoir en un idéal de justice en Afghanistan.Nous sommes de tout coeur avec sa famille, ses proches et ses camarades des Forces canadiennes aujourd'hui inconsolables. Qu'ils sachent que les Canadiennes et les Canadiens sont avec eux en pensée et leur expriment leurs plus sincères condoléances.
Michaëlle Jean

I extend my heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Private Alexandre Peloquin, who was killed today when an explosive device detonated during a foot patrol in the Panjwai District.Pte Peloquin was a brave Canadian who deserves the gratitude and respect of his nation. He served valiantly, and represents Canadian values and traditions in the finest sense.He gave his life to provide hope to Afghans for a better future and to protect Canadian national interests and the values of freedom, democracy respect for human rights and the rule of law. This UN-sanctioned, NATO-led mission is a challenging one and Canada and the world community will not be swayed from this noble cause.The sacrifice Pte Peloquin made in honour of Canada and the Canadian people will not be forgotten. Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence

Dear Jacques & Monique, I was so sorry to hear about your son, Alexandre. I live in Scotland now, but still miss all the Brownsburg people and I remember so well your friendship with my brother, Alan. You will be in my thoughts and prayers, especially on Saturday. Mary Vowles Duncan