New York Honours Fallen Soldiers

Paterson Orders Flags to Half-Staff to Honour Fallen Soldiers
Gov. David Paterson has ordered flags on state buildings across New York flown at half-staff to honour soldiers from New York who are killed in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A spokesman for the governor says the new policy began Wednesday when the flag was lowered for three Fort Drum soldiers killed in Iraq on June 4 near Sharqat. On Monday, flags will be lowered again for Staff Sgt. Tyler Pickett, who was killed in action in Kirkuk Province in Iraq on June 8.

Although the four dead soldiers were from other states, they were all assigned to the 10th Mountain Division and stationed at Fort Drum in northern New York. Spokesman Morgan Hook says Paterson believes even if a soldier is from another state, if they are serving with a New York-based unit, that makes them a New Yorker.

Gov. David Paterson has directed that flags on New York state government buildings be flown at half-staff Wednesday in honour of SPC. Jason M. Johnston, who became Albion’s first casualty of war Saturday.

Johnston, 24, was killed while serving in Arghandab, Afghanistan. A Department of Defense official confirmed Johnston’s death, stating that he died of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

“All New Yorkers mourn the death of this brave young soldier,” Paterson said. “We join with the family, friends and fellow soldiers of Specialist Johnston in grieving his death. But we also join with them in honoring his patriotism and dedication to his mission and to our nation.”

Johnston was assigned to the second Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, fourth Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C.

"Lament for the Dead" by Will Oliver

This is a tribute to our fallen soldiers by singer Will Oliver.
Thank you Will on behalf of military families.
We shall always remember them. ~m.m.

A Teary Morning

Today in the classroom during O Canada, I had noticed one of my students had stopped singing. He then lowered his head for a couple of moments. Upon lifting his head and he made a sign of the cross using his pointer finger. Looking up, he continued on singing the National Anthem to the end. After the music stopped and the rest of the students sat down, this little boy came to me and said: "I was praying for the soldiers that were killed in the war."

2 NATO Soldiers and Interpreter Killed

Two soldiers of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and their interpreter were killed Saturday morning in southern Afghanistan when their vehicle was caught in an improvised explosive devices explosion, said an ISAF statement.
A further three soldiers were also injured in the same incident who are currently undergoing treatment at an ISAF medical facility, the statement added.
In accordance with ISAF policy, ISAF does not release the casualty's nationality prior to the relevant national authority doing so.
Some 55,000 foreign troops are being deployed in the war-torn Afghanistan for keeping security and fighting terrorism.

Bless all our NATO soldiers and and their families.

UPDATED (11 am):
Two Canadian Soldiers Killed:

Cpl. Nicolas Raymond Beauchamp of the 5th Field Ambulance in Valcartier

(28 yrs of age)

To view or sign the guestbook for the family of Cpl Beauchamp,

click here :

and

Pte. Michel Levesque of the Royal 22nd (25 yrs old)

To view or sign the guestbook for the family of Pte Levesque,

click here:

Their Afghan interpreter were killed and three other soldiers were wounded in a roadside bomb attack in Kandahar province early today. The soldiers were traveling in a Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) when it struck a landmine on a road near Bazar-e Panjwaii, west of Kandahar City. The three soldiers wounded in the attack were transported to hospital at Kandahar Air Field. Their injuries are not considered life-threatening, a Canadian Forces official said. “ISAF troops contend with the threat of (bomb) strikes on a daily basis, but our soldiers continue to improve the security situation and make a very real and positive difference to the lives of normal hardworking Afghan people,” said Wing Commander Antony McCord, a spokesman for Regional Command South. “Our thoughts at this time are with the families and friends of those who have been killed or injured in today’s incident,” he said in the ISAF statement. Today, a series of clashes in southern Afghanistan left 33 suspected Taliban militants dead, while a suicide bomber in the east wounded a NATO soldier, officials said. At least four police officers also died in the fighting. Twenty-three Taliban militants were killed during a U.S.-led coalition operation aimed at disrupting a weapons transfer in southern Afghanistan, the coalition said today. A truck apparently full of Taliban weapons exploded during the operation in Helmand province’s Garmsir district. The coalition said it didn’t known what triggered the explosion. Coalition troops detained 11 people suspected of being part of a weapons running operation. Elsewhere in Kandahar province, Canadian and Afghan troops battled militants in the Zhari district today, leaving at least 10 suspected militants dead, according to provincial police chief Sayed Agha Saqeb. Authorities recovered the bodies of four of the dead militants alongside their weapons and ammunition, Saqeb said. There were no casualties among the Canadian and Afghan troops. In a separate attack yesterday, one Afghan civilian was killed and two others injured when a suicide bomber on a motorbike ignited against a passing ISAF convoy in the Chaparhar district of Nangarhar province. The ISAF vehicle was badly damaged but only one ISAF service member sustained minor injuries. “Once again we have an incident in which Afghan civilians end up suffering from Taliban extremists using indiscriminate weapons,” said Brig.-Gen. Carlos Branco, an ISAF spokesman. “Eighty per cent of the victims of Taliban suicide bombings are civilians."

Statement by the Minister of National Defence on the Deaths of Two Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan
The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, issued the following statement today on the death of two Canadian soldiers and one Afghan interpreter and the wounding of three soldiers:"I am deeply saddened by the loss of Corporal Nicolas Raymond Beauchamp and Private Michel Jr. Levesque, who died yesterday in Afghanistan. I would like to extend my condolences to their families and friends during this very difficult time. I also wish a quick recovery for the other Canadian soldiers injured in this incident.My sympathies also go out to the family and friends of an Afghan interpreter who lost his life in this incident. This courageous Afghan national gave his life in support of the mission to help Afghanistan achieve peace, stability and the hope for a better future.These soldiers were participating in a joint operation to further stabilize the Panjwayi district, west of Kandahar City. These soldiers were in Afghanistan to help bring back hope to a population that has seen much hardship and turmoil.Canada is in Afghanistan at the request of the democratically elected government, and as part of a UN-sanctioned mission to help build a stable, democratic, and self-sufficient society. Rebuilding schools, hospitals, and roads as well as training Afghan security forces cannot occur in an unstable environment. Our Canadian Forces members are playing a key role in this NATO-led mission, helping improve the security situation in order to create the conditions necessary for Afghans to live normal lives.We will remain forever grateful for the sacrifice of these brave soldiers, and we are all saddened by the loss of these exceptional Canadians."

Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada:
My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I were deeply saddened to learn of the recent deaths of two soldiers Corporal Nicolas Raymond Beauchamp, 5e Ambulance de campagne, and Private Michel Jr. Levesque, 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Regiment, both based out of Valcartier, Quebec, as well as the death of an Afghan interpreter, west of Kandahar, in Afghanistan.Our thoughts are with their families, friends and loved ones, whose anguish, suffering and distress are unimaginable. We also extend our wishes for courage and a prompt recovery to those injured in this tragedy.These soldiers and their comrades went to Afghanistan with confidence in the importance of their mission: to rebuild this war-torn country, and to restore and maintain peace for its people. They offered up the very best of themselves, right to the end. We will never forget them.Michaelle Jean
Corporal Nicolas Raymond Beauchamp was member of 5e Ambulance de campagne and Private Michel Jr Levesque was members of 3e Bataillon of Royal 22e Regiment, based out of Valcartier Quebec.
Statement by the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Leader of the Opposition:
I was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Corporal Nicolas Raymond Beauchamp of the 5th Field Ambulance in Valcartier and Private Michel Lévesque of Quebec’s Royal 22nd Regiment, killed in Afghanistan this morning. This immense tragedy drives home the very real perils that members of the Canadian Forces face every day, as they risk their lives to create a safer and more secure world for the people of Afghanistan. Members of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary Caucus join me in expressing our most heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and comrades of these brave Canadians as they cope with this tremendous loss. Our thoughts and prayers also go out to the family and friends of the Afghan interpreter who also died in the attack, as well as the three other soldiers who were wounded.

August 23 - Bless Our Fallen Soldiers

Two Canadian soldiers, and one Afghan interpreter were killed at approximately 6:19 p.m. Kandahar time today when their Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV III) struck a suspected mine approximately 50 kms West of Kandahar City. One Canadian soldier and two Canadian journalists were also injured at the time of the explosion and have been evacuated by helicopter to the Multinational Hospital at Kandahar Airfield.The incident occurred during Operation EAGLE EYE, a joint Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) and ISAF operation aimed at further stabilizing the District of Zharey. Members of the 3e Bataillon du Royal 22e Regiment and ANSF advanced to secure the western region of Zharey, where insurgents have been most active, to strengthen security conditions so that meetings can be held with local elders and authorities to support the delivery of reconstruction projects.The names of the casualties are being withheld pending next of kin notification

Update:
The identity of one of the two Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan today is as follows:- Master Corporal Christian Duchesne, 5e Ambulance de campagne, based out of Valcartier, Quebec.Family members of the soldiers have been notified. At their request, the name of the remaining soldier is being temporarily withheld.

Bless our soldiers and their family and friends, here and in Afghanistan.

Statement from Minister of National Defence:

The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, issued the following statement today on the deaths of two Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter, and the wounding of one soldier and two members of the media:"I am deeply saddened by the loss of two Canadian soldiers who died today in Afghanistan. I would like to extend my condolences to the families and loved ones of Master Corporal Christian Duchesne and of the remaining soldier, whose name is being temporarily withheld at the request of the family. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this time of great sorrow. I also wish a speedy recovery to the soldier injured in this incident.These soldiers were participating in a joint operation to further stabilize an area west of Kandahar City with the aim to strengthen security conditions so that meetings can be held with local elders and authorities to facilitate reconstruction projects. These soldiers were helping to bring back hope to a population that has seen much hardship and turmoil. Their actions have brought hope to this oppressed people.My sympathies also go to the two members of the media injured in today's attack, and to their families. Our condolences also go to the family of the Afghan interpreter who lost his life in the incident.Let us never forget these brave soldiers, whose self-sacrifice served to make life better for others."Master Corporal Christian Duchesne was a member of 5e Ambulance de campagn, Royal 22e Regiment, based out of Valcartier, Quebec.

George Bush and His Fallen Soldiers- Self Portrait?

I came across this mosaic portait of George Bush. The picture above was made by combining about 670 photos of fallen soldiers of the United States as well as other countries. Original creator of this image is unknown. Click on portrait to see images of soldiers.

See more of Maria's published pics at: funnycoolstuff

Six Canadian Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan Released

I look at these pictures and think of how young they look. To our fallen soldiers: we are proud of your service to your country and dedication in that which you believed in and fought for. Your mission is complete. You are truly Canadian heroes and the world in which we live is a safer place because of your commitment to freedom. We will now proudly stand for you and your families with honor, dignity, and respect. We pray that you will rest peacefully in the arms of God. May He provide peace, comfort, and understanding to each life you touched.

The of the six Canadian soldiers killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on July 4, 2007 (today) are as follows:
'

Captain Matthew Johnathan Dawe,

3rd Battalion,

Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry,

based in Edmonton, Alta.

Master Corporal Colin Bason,

a reservist from

The Royal Westminster Regiment

based in New Westminster, B.C.

Corporal Cole Bartsch,

3rd Battalion,

Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry,

based in Edmonton, Alta.

.

Private Lane Watkins,

3rd Battalion,

Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry,

based in Edmonton, Alta.

Captain Jefferson Francis,
1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery,
based in Shilo, Man
.


Corporal Jordan Anderson, 3rd Battalion,
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry,
based in Edmonton, Alta
.

The soldiers were killed when their RG-31 vehicle struck a suspected improvised explosive device approximately 20 km southwest of Kandahar City. An Afghan interpreter was also killed in the blast. The incident occurred while the soldiers were returning from conducting joint patrol operations with the Afghan National Army.

What a Sad Day

What a sad day... I am shaking as I hear the news. This is the start of a difficult journey for many military families and friends here and overseas. I know many families close their eyes, bow their heads and wait. God Bless. I stand here beside you - reaching out my hand.

You will be missed

By ones never met

You are our HEROES

We will never forget.

~Godspeed.

Military Mom.

.

Six Canadian Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan

July 4, 2007- Six Canadian soldiers and one Afghan interpreter were killed at approximately 10:55 a.m. Kandahar time today when their vehicle struck a suspected improvised explosive device approximately 20 km south-west of Kandahar City. The names of the casualties are being withheld pending the notification of families.The incident occurred while the soldiers were returning from conducting joint operations with the Afghan National Army. This joint operation was dubbed Operation LUGER and is indicative of the ever-increasing capability of Afghan National Security forces. Operation LUGER was an Afghan led operation to enhance security in the Panjwayii district that saw Canadian Forces troops play a supporting role to their Afghan counterparts. The operation was completed without incident, and the attack occurred as the patrol returned to a nearby forward operating base. Afghan National Army forces have made great progress in increasing their level of professionalism and operational capability and regularly work in close cooperation with Canadian Forces personnel who stand alongside them in the field, and mentor them as they develop a cohesive and professional military force.The members of Joint Task Force Afghanistan are deeply saddened by the loss of these brave individuals as they worked side by side with their Afghan counterparts to bring security and stability to southern Afghanistan.The identities and home units of the deceased will only be released when next-of-kin notification is complete, and in accordance with the family's wishes.

Statement by the Minister of National Defence on the Deaths of Three Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan

June 20, 2007 - The Honourable Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement today on the deaths of three Canadian soldiers:

"I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the families of Sergeant Christos Karigiannis, Corporal Stephen Bouzane and Private Joel Wiebe, who were killed today in Afghanistan.These three dedicated Canadian soldiers lost their lives when the vehicle they were traveling in struck an improvised explosive device while conducting a re-supply operation between two checkpoints in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar province.This is a tragic loss for Canada and the Canadian Forces - but it was not in vain. Afghans are re-establishing themselves and their communities, and their lives are improving. They see the positive work we are doing in contributing to stability and a lasting peace. Thanks to the bravery of solders like Sergeant Karigiannis, Corporal Bouzane and Private Wiebe, we are making great progress in this region in creating a better future for the Afghan people.Sergeant Karigiannis, Corporal Bouzane and Private Wiebe, all of the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, were three great Canadians who will be missed by the Canadian Forces family, their communities and Canadians everywhere - we will always remember them."

Message from Governor General

Jun 20, 2007 21:31 ET

Message from her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean,

Governor General of Canada, on the Death of Three Canadian Soldiers

"While in Yukon on our official visit, my husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I were grieved to learn of the deaths of three Canadian soldiers, when their vehicle struck an explosive device near Kandahar City, Afghanistan.The loss of Sergeant Christos Karigiannis, Corporal Stephen Frederick Bouzane and Private Joel Vincent Wiebe deeply saddens us. All three were members of the Third Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. They served this country with honour and distinction. We owe them our greatest respect.This tragic accident reminds us of the danger our Canadian Forces face every day in Afghanistan. They nonetheless remain committed to bringing peace and security to this country devastated by decades of chaos.All Canadians join me in offering sincerest condolences to the family, friends and comrades of these courageous men."

Michaelle Jean

Seven NATO Soldiers Died in Helicopter Crash

As I awoke this morning to this news - I was truly saddened. (Please note there are currently unconfirmed reports of nationalities of the soldiers.)

I know what many family members are going through.. "the wait" ... while the heart races and .. yes the tears come easily.
Let's pray for and take those soldiers' families and friends and take them into our hearts today no matter which country they are from.... as they are all our family.. our military family.

Chinook Helicopter

Seven NATO soldiers died when their Chinook helicopter crashed on Wednesday in southern Afghanistan, the site of some of the heaviest recent fighting between Western forces and the Taliban.
Troops responding to the scene of the crash were ambushed and called for an air strike to eliminate the threat, NATO officials said.
NATO would not say immediately if the big, twin-rotor military helicopter was directly involved in a battle with Taliban guerrillas or whether it was shot down. The cause of the crash was under investigation.

"Clearly there were enemy fighters in the area," said Major John Thomas, a spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Kabul. "It's not impossible for small arms fire to bring down a helicopter."
The helicopter went down in the southern province of Helmand, Afghanistan's main opium poppy-growing region, where Western forces have clashed repeatedly with Taliban militants in recent months following a winter lull in fighting.
"The entire crew of five died in the incident. There were also two military passengers who died," ISAF said in a statement. "One Afghan civilian was injured by small arms fire after the crash."

ISAF did not release the nationalities of soldiers killed or wounded in Afghanistan.

Bless Them All

Two more soldiers die in Afghanistan
Three convoys attacked

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Two Canadian soldiers died in Afghanistan yesterday and three others were injured in a day that saw three separate attacks on convoys of Canadian armoured vehicles.
The deaths, which come less than a day after a ramp ceremony for six other fallen soldiers, bring the number of Canadians killed on the battlefield since Sunday to eight -- the most ever in a week since Canada's mission in Afghanistan began in 2002.
It pushes the total number of Canadian soldiers who have been killed here to 53.
"As you can appreciate, our thoughts, again, are with the families of the soldiers we have lost," Colonel Mike Cessford, deputy commander of Task Force Afghanistan, said from the NATO base in Kandahar late last night. "It is hard to put into words what they must be feeling at this time of sorrow."
The two Canadians who died yesterday did so after their vehicle hit an explosive device that was planted underneath a road in an area about 38 kilometres west of Kandahar City.
Unconfirmed reports named the slain soldiers as Master Corporal Allan Stewart, 30, and Trooper Patrick James Pentland, 23. Both men were stationed at CFB Petawawa.
Blackhawk helicopters brought the two bodies back to Kandahar Airfield along with two of the wounded soon after the blast.
One of those injured soldiers was carried into the base hospital on a stretcher, while the other -- still dazed by the blast -- staggered into the hospital with the help of two military medics.
Of those two wounded soldiers, one sustained minor injuries while a second was seriously hurt and will soon be taken to the U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany.
Col. Cessford said the fatal blast took place around 8 p.m. and that it happened about 800 metres from an earlier, similar attack against another convoy of Canadian soldiers.
That earlier incident, which Col. Cessford called "unrelated" to the second, took place at about 6 p.m., he said, noting a Canadian armoured vehicle hit another bomb planted in the road at that time. The shrapnel from that explosion left one soldier in a trailing vehicle with minor injuries.
The two blasts follow yet another attack on Canadian soldiers yesterday, one that happened at about 1:30 p.m.
In that third attack, a suicide bomber driving a taxi set off a large explosion next to a convoy of Canadian vehicles.
The blast blew out the front window of a nearby water truck and sent pieces of the taxi flying close to nine metres, witnesses said.
No soldiers were injured in that attack, which happened in a western district of Kandahar City, though Kandahar's health director said 10 Afghan civilians were injured.
Military spokesman Lieutenant John Nethercott said yesterday afternoon the explosion caused minor damage to a Canadian LAV III, but added all the vehicles in the convoy were able to keep driving and to leave the scene.
Taj Muhammed, a 25-year-old day labourer who was injured, witnessed the explosion.
He said he was on his way to Helmand province to harvest poppies when the explosion went off. He explained that he had pulled his car to the side of the road at the time because a Canadian convoy was about to pass.
"Suddenly I heard an explosion," he said from his hospital bed, where he was being treated for burns.
"After the explosion fire spread all around us," he added. "I lost consciousness and when I opened my eyes I found myself at the Mirwais Hospital."
Yesterday's string of attacks took place less than three days after yet another IED strike where six Canadian soldiers died in a blast about 75 kilometers west of Kandahar City. Corporal Brent Poland, Sergeant Donald Lucas, Corporal Aaron E. Williams, Private Kevin Vincent Kennedy, Private David Robert Greenslade and Corporal Christopher Paul Stannix all died in that blast, and were given a final farewell at a ramp ceremony on the Kandahar Airfield on Tuesday night.

Homecoming "News"

Hello:

As you know, I have been away on an ongoing family emergency. Exhausted (mentally and physically) I returned home to hear that a reporter had called my home and left a message for me. (I'm not devulging names nor name of the paper or station this person had called from) What was the message you ask? "We wondered if you son was still in Afghanistan. The reason we called was that there were 6 soldiers killed and we wondered if you son was alright ?" I was and still am floored! (this call came before it was broadcast on the news stations) This is the third time this happened. The first time was after the friendly fire in September.. and then the second was during Operation Medusa. .. and now today.

Some media personnel (and I'm not saying all.. many are highly professional) have got to exercise sensitivity when speaking to our military families.Sometimes we don't know.. and what a terrible way to find out! I can only imagine the mother's (father's, sister's, family member's) reaction whose son is currently serving overseas and gets a phone call like this.. this family is still waiting to hear from their son or daughter or has just received or is waiting to receive confirmation. I want to reach out and give a big hug to military families of soldiers currently deployed overseas.

My heart goes out to all those families... but today, especially to the families of our fallen and injured soldiers - my heart goes out to you in thought and prayer as I stand by you through this tragic time.

Military Mom