Photo by: JOHN GORDON
A Second World War Bren gun carrier transported Master Cpl. Colin Bason’s casket Tuesday, escorted by a sombre guard of honour for his funeral in Aldergrove. Below: Hundreds of mourners attended Bason’s funeral, where he was remembered for his bravery in serving his country
Tuesday, July 17 - 01:25:00 PM
ALDERGROVE, BC - It was a very solemn and sad occasion. It’s always a tragedy when a young person dies, and when that person is killed far away from home while trying to help people in a strife-torn country, while on duty with the Canadian military, that death is even more tragic.
Yet at the same time, there is something noble about the sacrifice made by so many members of the Canadian military, who are in Afghanistan because they sincerely believe in making that country safe for its citizens.
They are there because Canada is fulfilling its NATO commitments, because Canada wants to eradicate the terrorism that emanates from that region and because Canada wants to help ordinary citizens in one of the world’s poorest countries look forward to a better life.
These are all worthy causes. Soldiers take up these causes for a wide variety of reasons, but fundamentally most of them want to see the world become a better place, and feel that serving in the military is a way they can help make that happen.
By every account, Colin Bason loved being a soldier. By every account, he was very good at it. As a reservist, being selected to go to join the permanent members of the Canadian Forces on a battle front that has been the most difficult for our troops since the Korean War was a mark of the skill he brought to his craft.
While some over the centuries have called the death of a soldier in war “glorious,” that’s not a word that comes to mind. There is nothing glorious about dying, even in a worthy cause.
However, the spirit of service and sacrifice that all soldiers bring with them when they enter a war zone is something to be admired — because it is something that, deep down, very few of us are easily able to do.
Colin Bason died in Afghanistan while helping others, and while fighting to preserve a way of life that we find precious. That’s a sacrifice that we all should take note of, and be thankful for.
Yet at the same time, there is something noble about the sacrifice made by so many members of the Canadian military, who are in Afghanistan because they sincerely believe in making that country safe for its citizens.
They are there because Canada is fulfilling its NATO commitments, because Canada wants to eradicate the terrorism that emanates from that region and because Canada wants to help ordinary citizens in one of the world’s poorest countries look forward to a better life.
These are all worthy causes. Soldiers take up these causes for a wide variety of reasons, but fundamentally most of them want to see the world become a better place, and feel that serving in the military is a way they can help make that happen.
By every account, Colin Bason loved being a soldier. By every account, he was very good at it. As a reservist, being selected to go to join the permanent members of the Canadian Forces on a battle front that has been the most difficult for our troops since the Korean War was a mark of the skill he brought to his craft.
While some over the centuries have called the death of a soldier in war “glorious,” that’s not a word that comes to mind. There is nothing glorious about dying, even in a worthy cause.
However, the spirit of service and sacrifice that all soldiers bring with them when they enter a war zone is something to be admired — because it is something that, deep down, very few of us are easily able to do.
Colin Bason died in Afghanistan while helping others, and while fighting to preserve a way of life that we find precious. That’s a sacrifice that we all should take note of, and be thankful for.
He was remembered as a kind, compassionate and dedicated soldier, who truly believed in the mission he was serving for Canada. Hundreds gathered at Sts. Joachim and Anne Roman Catholic Church in Aldergrove for the funeral service for Master Corporal Colin Bason, one of six Canadians killed earlier this month in Afghanistan.
It was standing room only at the church, where family, friends, classmates, and fellow servicemen from Canada and the U.S paid their final respects. There were also representatives from the RCMP and the fire department. One of his friends speaking at the service said Bason showed an interest in the military as a child, re-enacting battles from World Wars. While in Afghanistan, Bason asked his family to send candy, which he handed out to children in the war-torn country.
Master Corporal Colin Bason was born in Abbotsford and leaves behind a fiancee and 5 month old daughter. The 28 year old reservist with the Royal Westminster Regiment left for Afghanistan when his daughter was just 4 days old.
During the service, the priest supported the Canadian mission in Afghanistan, saying he believes in the military action just as Colin Bason did. Bason's fiancee says Colin thought he was doing his best for Canada and other citizens of the world.
To view or sign the guestbook for the family
of Master Corporal Colin Bason, click on the book:
It was standing room only at the church, where family, friends, classmates, and fellow servicemen from Canada and the U.S paid their final respects. There were also representatives from the RCMP and the fire department. One of his friends speaking at the service said Bason showed an interest in the military as a child, re-enacting battles from World Wars. While in Afghanistan, Bason asked his family to send candy, which he handed out to children in the war-torn country.
Master Corporal Colin Bason was born in Abbotsford and leaves behind a fiancee and 5 month old daughter. The 28 year old reservist with the Royal Westminster Regiment left for Afghanistan when his daughter was just 4 days old.
During the service, the priest supported the Canadian mission in Afghanistan, saying he believes in the military action just as Colin Bason did. Bason's fiancee says Colin thought he was doing his best for Canada and other citizens of the world.
To view or sign the guestbook for the family
of Master Corporal Colin Bason, click on the book:
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