Master Corporal Charles-Philippe Michaud
Canadian soldier, Master Corporal Charles-Philippe Michaud from the 2e Battlaion, Royal 22e Regiment who recently sustained serious injuries in Afghanistan has passed away in a Quebec hospital July 4th. His Regiment is based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, near Quebec City.
At approximately 9:15 a.m. Kandahar time on June 23, 2009, Master-Corporal Michaud was seriously injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near his dismounted patrol in Panjwayi District, southwest of Kandahar City.Master-Corporal Michaud was evacuated by helicopter to the coalition medical facility at Kandahar Airfield and subsequently moved to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Centre in Germany. He arrived in Quebec City on June 28, 2009 and succumbed to his injuries at approximately 2 p.m. EDT on July 4, 2009 in a Quebec City hospital.
Master-Corporal Michaud was serving as a member of the 2e Batallion, Royal 22e Regiment Battle Group in Kandahar, Afghanistan. This was his third operational tour and second to Afghanistan.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our fallen comrade during this very difficult time. Master-Corporal Michaud lost his life as a direct result of his participation in operations to enhance security for the people of Kandahar Province.
We will not forget his sacrifice.
Comrades Pay Tribute
Soldiers, some their faces still raw with grief, gathered Monday at Kandahar Airfield to pay tribute to a friend and colleague, Master Cpl. Charles-Philippe Michaud, the latest Canadian victim of Afghanistan's insurgent war.
About 150 comrades of the fallen soldier attended the brief morning ceremony at battlegroup headquarters.
With heads bowed, they listened as Padre Normand Cholette said a prayer for the 28-year-old Michaud, who died in Quebec City hospital on Saturday, more than a week after he was gravely injured by a landmine in southern Afghanistan.
Cholette said everyone in Kandahar had assumed the soldier, despite his terrible injuries, was going to pull through, and word of his death hit hard.
"All his colleagues were sure that everything was going to be OK," Cholette said.
"Learning the news was a shock; it's not easy for the troops."
Michaud was hurt when he stepped on a landmine during a foot patrol in the Panjwaii district on June 23. He was flown to Germany and then on to Canada for emergency treatment, but he never regained consciousness.
Nicknamed Chuck, Michaud was on his third operational tour and his second in Afghanistan. The member of the 2nd Batallion, Royal 22nd Regiment based at Valcartier.
Cholette said Michaud was known to be dedicated and disciplined, and in strong physical shape. He was faithful in his duty and much appreciated, the padre added.
"We're going through a time of mourning here," Cholette said.
"It's important for all the troops to emphasize the fact that we appreciate him."
Among those attending the ceremony in the hot morning sunshine was Canadian Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, senior commander in Kandahar province and the battlegroup commander, Lt.-Col. Jocelyn Paul.
Moments after, several soldiers who had driven in climbed aboard their armoured vehicles and rolled back out of Kandahar Airfield to their forward operating bases.
Condolences
"I wish to express my heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Master-Corporal Charles-Philippe Michaud.Master-Corporal Charles-Philippe Michaud was a valiant and courageous Canadian soldier who died in service to his country and the world community after being wounded in Afghanistan during a patrol June 23.His sacrifice will never be forgotten and increases Canada's resolve to help the Afghan people in a UN-sanctioned, NATO-led mission.Thanks to Master-Corporal Charles-Philippe Michaud, progress and change is taking place in Afghanistan." - Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence
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