God Bless Cpl Darren James Fitzpatrick - March 20th, 2010

It is with sadness that today we learn about the death of Cpl. Darren James Fitzpatrick at the University of Alberta Hospital Saturday as a result of wounds he sustained in Afghanistan on March 6.
God Bless Cpl. Darren James Fitzpatrick
Cpl. Fitzpatrick, of Prince George, B.C., was a 21-year-old Infantryman and a member of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based at CFB Edmonton.

This was Cpl. Fitzpatrick's first operational tour. He joined the Canadian Forces in 2006 and had been serving in Afghanistan with Operational Mentor Liaison Team the since last October.

Cpl. Fitzpatrick was critically wounded by an improvised explosive device during a joint Canadian/Afghan dismounted patrol 25 km West of Kandahar City in Zharey district on March 6. He was treated at the Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar Airfield and was then moved to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Cpl. Fitzpatrick was evacuated from LRMC to the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton on Friday.
Cpl. Darren James Fitzpatrick passed away late Saturday afternoon surrounded by his family. May strength come to his family and friends as they travel a difficult journey ahead. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Condolences

If you'd like to leave a message of condolence, please post it in the comments section and I will transfer it below. Regards, M.M.

"I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Corporal Darren James Fitzpatrick, a courageous Canadian soldier who died Saturday after being wounded in Afghanistan during a patrol March 6. Our thoughts are very much with you during this difficult time.

Cpl. Fitzpatrick was engaged in an international effort to help Afghanistan stand on its own and rebuild after decades of war.

Although the United Nations-mandated, NATO-led mission is difficult, measurable progress has been made in Afghanistan. Whether improving the security situation in order to set the conditions for reconstruction and development, or providing humanitarian assistance, the Canadian Forces are making a considerable difference.

Cpl. Fitzpatrick gave his life while providing hope to Afghans for a brighter future. We will continue to work with our Afghan and international partners to ensure his sacrifice will not be forgotten. " ~ Peter MacKay - Minister of National Defence

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

It was with great sadness that my husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I learned that the war in Afghanistan had claimed a new victim from among the ranks of our valorous and courageous soldiers.

Corporal Darren James Fitzpatrick was on patrol west of Kandahar when he was wounded by an anti-personnel mine on March 6. Unfortunately he succumbed Saturday to his injuries, surrounded by his loved ones in Edmonton.

Canada and its extended military family have lost a remarkable and very generous man.

Corporal Darren James Fitzpatrick cared very deeply about serving his country. On mission in Afghanistan, he was convinced of the crucial importance of humanitarian assistance for the communities of Kandahar province, where poverty, insecurity and terrorism are daily realities.

From the bottom of our hearts and on behalf of all Canadians, we extend our most sincere condolences to the family, friends and comrades of Corporal Fitzpatrick, in particular those serving in the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. We share their pain, and our thoughts are with them. ~Michaëlle Jean

Godspeed Task Force 1-08 - Roto 5

Cristina Moldoben weeps on the shoulder of her husband Cpl. Jason Moldoben at the Edmonton Garrison during a farewell ceremony.

This month, many families and friends tearfully and with forced smiles are saying goodbye to their sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, friends and familiy members as they deploy on their mission in Afghanistan. These brave and honourable soldiers are compromised from regiments in Edmonton, Alberta and Shilo, Manitoba. Forced smiles you ask. Forced as they are filled with pride, want to show their support for their soldier walking to the plane, yet as they plane leaves the runway and the last sighting of their loved one turns to a pinpoint in the sky, they turn to the void and grief within them. Tears come easily. Yet they are strong - they are the miltary famiies - the backbone of the military - showing their support throughout the mission. The parents of these soldiers reside not only in Edmonton or Shilo, but many, many live across Canada. Please if you know a military mom, dad sister, brother, son, daughter or friend of one of the deployed soldier, give them a hug. I wish I could give each one a medal- for bravery.

To our soldiers: your dedication to Canada and contributions to the Canadian Forces are a great example of the selflessness and sense of duty of all soldiers. We are proud of your service to your country and dedication in that which you believed in. You are truly Canadian heroes and the world in which we live is a safer place because of your commitment to freedom. We proudly stand for you with honor, dignity, and respect. Godspeed TF 1-08.

W.O. Dave Shultz says goodbye to his dog Rika at the Edmonton Garrison this morning before leaving for Afghanistan. Photo credit : John Lucas/Edmonton Journal

Family, friends and at least one dog bid farewell February 8th to about 139 soldiers bound for Afghanistan.
They left Edmonton for a six-month tour as part of the 2,500-strong Task Force 1-08, of which 1300 are from Edmonton and 1200 Shilo, Manitoba. Edmonton’s last large deployment to Kandahar was in 2006.

Sergeant Ryan Herbert takes his turn

holding daughter his young daughter.

Sgt Herbert serves with 1 RCHA and is returning to

Afghanistan for his second tour.

The deployment includes a 1,000-soldier battle group in Kandahar, and a 250-soldier provincial reconstruction Team, responsible for governance, reconstruction and development in Kandahar Province. The senior military leader heralded NATO’s “made-in-Canada” spine today at Edmonton Garrison in a pep talk to 1,300 soldiers destined for Afghanistan.
“You’re gonna be facing a formidable enemy, who is increasingly discredited time and time again in Kandahar province,” Brig.-Gen. Mark Skidmore, commander of Land Force Western Area, told the soldiers.
“The enemy has learned that NATO does have a spine and that spine is made right here in Canada.”

Petty Officer 2nd Class Penney Carla holds her daughter Kayla before being deployed to Afghanistan with the Canadian forces on Friday at the Lecture Training Facility at CFB Edmonton. Photo Credit: Jordan Verlage

There was hardly a dry eye in the house at Edmonton Garrison. It was one of several deployments that will continue almost daily through February, as local soldiers rotate into Kandahar to relieve the Quebec-based troops currently stationed there.
Today's group totaled 139 men and women from various units, including 3 Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry and 1 Service Battalion.
Dubbed Task Force 1-08, the group represents the largest contingent of Edmonton-based troops to enter Afghanistan since a similar rotation in February, 2006.
The lecture hall where the soldiers gathered to bid farewell to loved ones was filled with optimism, although dozens of spouses and children lost the battle to hold back their tears.
"We're excited to be going, we've learned a lot since our last rotation and things are getting better for us over there," said Cpl. David Lefebvre, who leaves a wife and three children in Edmonton during his six-month tour.
"At the same time though, it's harder. Our families are growing and it's never easy to leave your children, especially the newborns."
His wife Charlene echoed the emotions of other spouse at the gathering. "We're so proud because we know the soldiers are needed over there," she said. "Still, we already wish he was back with us." See also: Army News' TF 1-08 departure parade and Task Force 1-08 News

"Thank you Jennifer"

Task Force 1-08 - Roto 5 Composition

Soldiers are currently being deployed.

What is Roto 5 - TF 1-08 composed of?

Task Force 1-08 (Joint Task Force Afghanistan, Roto 5) composed of approximately 2500 soldiers will comprise of the following units:

• A 1000 soldier Battle Group in Kandahar, primarily from the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (2 PPCLI), which includes:
• Battle Group Headquarters – 2 PPCLI (Shilo);
• Two Rifle Companies – B and C Companies 2 PPCLI (Shilo) and elements of A Company 3 PPCLI (Edmonton);
• One Artillery Battery with two Surveillance and Target Acquisition ( STA ) troops– B Battery 1 RCHA (Shilo);
• One Field Engineer Squadron – 12 Field Squadron 1 CER (Edmonton);
• One Reconnaissance Platoon – 2 PPCLI (Shilo);
• One Reconnaissance Squadron – D Squadron 12 RBC (Valcartier);
• One Tank Squadron – B Squadron LdSH(RC) (Edmonton);.
•One Armoured Engineer Troop – 1 CER (Edmonton );
The majority of about 400 Reserve Force soldiers, will come from:
• 39 CBG from British Columbia - approximately 136 soldiers;
• 41 CBG from Alberta - approximately 145 soldiers; and
• 38 CBG from Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario- approximately 117soldiers
• A Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) unit comprised primarily of personnel from 444 Close Support Squadron and 4 Air Defence Regiment (4 AD Regt) based in Moncton; and
• Operational Mentor Liaison Team (OMLT) of 153 soldiers formed primarily from 3 PPCLI with augmentation from Land Force Western Area (LFWA), Land Force Atlantic Area (LFAA) and Land Force Central Area (LFCA). It will partner with Afghan National Army (ANA) Infantry Kandaks (Kandak is the Afghan word for “battalion”) and ANA Corps Headquarters. It also includes a 31-member Police Observer-Mentor Liaison Team that will work with the Afghan National Police in a similar capacity.
• Health Service Support (HSS) company of 186 personnel contributing medical personnel to the Role 1 unit as well as to the Multinational Medical Unit (MMU) Role 3 facility at Kandahar Airfield (KAF) comprised of primarily Edmonton-based personnel from 1 Field Ambulance (1 Fd Amb) and 1 Canadian Field Hospital (1 Cdn Fd Hosp), as well as other Health Services units from across Canada;
• About 11 CF members with the Regional Command (South) Headquarters assisting Canadian Major-General Lessard in accomplishing his mission and exercising command and control over the Region Command (South) in Afghanistan. RC (S) controls ISAF operations in the provinces of Kandahar, Helmand, Zabol, Uruzgan, Nimroz and Daikundi;
• About 350 CF members with the Joint Task Force (Afghanistan) Headquarters (JTF (Afg) HQ) at Kandahar Airfield. JTF (A) HQ is primarily composed of personnel drawn primarily from 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group based in Petawawa;
• About 470 CF members with the National Support Element (NSE) in Kandahar, primarily from the 1 Service Battalion (1 Svc Bn) in Edmonton with two Force Protection Platoons drawn from 39 and 41 CBG based out of Vancouver and Calgary respectively;
• About 350 CF members with the Theatre Support Element (TSE) at Camp Mirage in Southwest Asia; and
• A Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) of 250 soldiers, which is responsible for governance, reconstruction and development in Kandahar Province based at Camp Nathan Smith in Kandahar City. The military component of the PRT includes:
• The PRT Commander's Tactical Headquarters Group, which provides protection and mobility to the PRT Commander and his staff;
• An infantry company from the 1 st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (1 PPCLI), protecting and escorting the PRT, providing a quick reaction force for Kandahar City, and performing defence and security tasks;
• Military project managers (military engineers) enhancing the PRT's capability to manage quick impact reconstruction and development projects;
• A Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) platoon from LFWA;
• A Military Police Platoon consisting of members Edmonton ;
• A Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) platoon from LFWA;
• Service and support elements drawn from across Canada; and
• Other specialized elements from vaious CF units across Canada.

Afghanistan... they are on their way!

Funeral for Pte Joel Vincent Wiebe

WIEBE, Pte Joel Vincent On Wednesday, June 20, 2007, Pte. Joel Vincent Wiebe died in the service of his county, in Afghanistan at the age of 22 years. Fondly remembered by his loving spouse and soulmate Anna Marie; father Joe (Nilda) Wiebe and his mother Sherry Clark; sisters:Michelle (Brandon), Marcie, Amanda (Sean); brothers: Ben and Lance as well as nieces: Kali, Sydney, Dalyla and nephew Xander and grandparents. Joel will also be greatly missed by his numerous other relatives, friends and serving members of the Canadian Forces. Joel will be buried with full Military Honours, his Funeral Service on Saturday will be by invitation only. In lieu of other tributes, donations may be made to Edmonton Humane Society, 12251-67 Street, Edmonton, AB T5B 1M8. Serenity Funeral Service, 5311-91 Street, 450-0101. Condolences: www.serenity.ca Your Community Owned Not For Profit Society. ---------------------------------------------------------- June 30th, 2007 Sherry Clark, centre left, mother of Private Joel Wiebe, and Wiebe's finacee Anna Thede, centre right, embrace as pallbearers with 3 PPCLI prepare to drape a Canadian flag over Wiebe's casket following a funeral at Trinity Lutheran Church in Edmonton yesterday. Photo Credit: Tim Smith It was a funeral, not a wedding. Pte. Joel Wiebe and Anna Thede were supposed to get married on Feb. 18 next year at the Trinity Lutheran Church, after the soldier's tour of duty in Afghanistan. Instead, Thede watched the fallen soldier's light oak coffin as it came out of a hearse yesterday morning outside the church on 81 Avenue and 100 Street. Later, Sherry Clark, the soldier's mother, held Thede's hand, as other family members stood beside them outside the church and watched the ceremonial dressing of the casket with a Canadian flag after the funeral. Under the sunny blue sky and with a gentle wind blowing, Wiebe's beret, medals, white dress belt with bayonet and a wreath were ceremoniously placed on top of the coffin before burial. "This is a small step in our grieving process. Family and friends gathered today to remember the wonderful man that Joel was, and the life he had," Wiebe's common-law wife said in a statement released by Edmonton Garrison. "Though we are all very sad, we find strength in being together, and the many fond memories we have of Joel." About 300 people, including 20 honour guards and about 200 regimental comrades from Wiebe's Edmonton 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, family members and friends packed the small church. The funeral service was solemn, Thede's friend Heather Worden told Sun Media. "Anna is doing very well," she added. Some church parishioners wanted to attend the service, but Wiebe's family asked that reporters and the public not attend the funeral and burial ceremonies. Ten-year-old Elexis Ortlieb was at the funeral with her mom Ellen, who is Thede's friend. "It was emotional," said the young girl, describing the service, adding she almost teared up. "I felt a whole range of emotions. I felt sad and mad. But I'm just so happy that he's not suffering anymore. It's so nice to see that everyone has so much strength." Thede sang with her friends a hymn called Blessed Be the Name, Ortlieb told Sun Media. "Her voice resounded strong, she has a beautiful voice." The dead soldier's mom appeared strong and steadfast in her euology, she said. But what moved Ortlieb the most was Wiebe's favourite hymn, the classic Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory. "Throughout you can imagine the attitude of the young men as they went off to do their duties," she said. RAINBOW SONG The funeral service concluded with the Rainbow Song, chosen by Wiebe's sister Amanda, because on the morning the family heard of the soldier's death, "they saw a rainbow on the sky," Ortlieb said. "The song says, everything is going to be OK." Wiebe, who would have turned 23 last week, was buried at the Glenwood Memorial Gardens cemetery in Sherwood Park after a full military honour. Edmonton's 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia will hold a military memorial service for the three dead soldiers at a later date in August.

Prayers are With Our Three Fallen Canadian Soldiers

It is with a heavy heart that I write this next piece. I reach out to hold the hand of families and friends of 3 courageous fallen soldiers today - as tears fall and my prayers are said for the families and friends -here and overseas. Today, military families grieve together.

Three Canadian soldiers were killed at approximately 7:49 a.m. Kandahar time today (11:19 pm est Tuesday evening) when the open-top all-terrain military vehicle in which they were traveling struck a suspected improvised explosive device on the main road, approximately 40 kms west of Kandahar City. The incident occurred while the soldiers were conducting resupply operations between checkpoints. The Department of National Defence notes: "The loss of every soldier is significant and is felt by all members of Joint Task Force Afghanistan. Notwithstanding that, we remain committed to the mission and the idea of peace and stability for the people of Afghanistan. We will not be deterred by the efforts of those who would deny the Afghan people a brighter future."

The identities of two of the three Canadian soldiers killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on June 20, 2007 are as follows:

Corporal Stephen Frederick Bouzane,

3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

Corporal Stephen Frederick Bouzane Charlie Company 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) CFB Edmonton, Garrison Friday 16 Oct 2006 Corporal At approximately 7:49 am Kandahar time today, Corporal Bouzane was one of three Canadian soldiers killed when the vehicle they were traveling in struck an improvised explosive device on the main road, approximately 6 km west of Forward Operating Base Sperwan-Gar. The incident occurred while the soldiers were conducting resupply operations between checkpoints. The Charlie Company, 3 PPCLI members are part of the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment (2 RCR) Battle Group of the Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF-Afg).
Cpl. Bouzane was born in Newfoundland and grew up in Scarborough, Ont., east of Toronto. Bouzane's sister, Kelly, described her brother as a quiet and reserved young man who was in Afghanistan "to make a difference."
She told the Canadian Press that her brother went to Afghanistan for his first tour in February. She last saw him at Christmas

Private Joel Vincent Wiebe,

3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

Private Joel Vincent Wiebe Charlie Company 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3PPCLI) CFB Edmonton , Garrison Oct 16 2006. At approximately 7:49 am Kandahar time today (11:19 pm EST Tuesday evening), Private Wiebe was one of three Canadian soldiers killed when the vehicle they were traveling in struck an improvised explosive device on the main road, approximately 6 km west of Forward Operating Base Sperwan-Gar. The incident occurred while the soldiers were conducting resupply operations between checkpoints. The Charlie Company, 3 PPCLI members are part of the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment (2 RCR) Battle Group of the Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF-Afg).
Wiebe, 22, had a fiancee in Edmonton where his regiment is based. Anna Thede had been counting the days until she would next see her fiancé, Private Joel Vincent Wiebe.
After months of separation, the young couple were planning to meet next week in Europe for a holiday. Instead, the Edmonton woman received the devastating news yesterday that Pte. Wiebe, had been one of three Canadian soldiers killed while on patrol in Afghanistan. Ms. Thede told reporters that her family and Pte. Wiebe's planned to release a public statement tomorrow.
On Ms. Thede's personal Facebook page, she wrote she is "heartbroken that her Joel is gone." The couple had been planning a winter wedding.

7:24 pm -The identity of the third Canadian soldier killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on June 20, 2007 is as follows:-

Sergeant Christos Karigiannis,

3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

Sgt. Karigiannis, part of 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, was killed yesterday along with two others while travelling between military checkpoints, just a few hundred metres apart, about 40 kilometres west of Kandahar city. The three soldiers died when their small all-terrain vehicle hit a roadside bomb that insurgents apparently managed to plant without being detected. Kelly Spence, a captain in the air force's supply reserve, said Karigiannis was truly devoted to being a pilot and being in the military.
"He was a quiet guy with a good sense of humour," said Spence, 48, who supervised Karigiannis's pilot's course in Ste. Anne de Bellevue in 1993 and then worked with him periodically through the late 1990s. "He was a good leader, a real motivator and a great human being. "If you asked who would be a good ambassador for Canada over there (in Afghanistan), Chris would be the one." Karigiannis was a top-notch soldier qualified to parachute into dangerous situations, Spence added. "The whole world could be going to hell around him and he would keep his cool."
He had also been a member of the Eden North Skydive Team in Edmonton, where he had completed more than 750 jumps.

"Through their service they contributed to ensuring a safe and prosperous future for Afghanistan," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Maria Carl, ISAF spokeswoman.

The soldiers were travelling in an M-Gator vehicle (similar to pictured above) that is used to haul small loads, a Department of National Defence spokeswoman said in Ottawa. The six-wheeled M-Gators, manufactured by John Deere Ltd., run on diesel fuel.

Asked whether it was a judgment error to use an unarmoured vehicle in hostile territory, Grant replied: "No. This is an unfortunate accident."
"The vehicle was appropriate to the task at hand and the terrain they were travelling in."
But Grant added: "We will review our procedures and if we determine that we need to change them, then we will do so."