Our small local newpaper did a great article on our fallen soldiers. In Trenton all fallen Canadian soldiers arrive at the air base and then off to Toronto for autospsy. This route is now renamed the "Highway of Heros." There are tons of people outside of the gates of the base: Boyscouts, Biker Groups, Vets, etc. Inside you find the friends, politicians, and families of the fallen. The Families first view of the fallen, since they left, is members bringing out a casket. In the link you will see pics of a mother the first time she sees her son returning. Imagine the young wife trying to explain to the three young kids that it's Daddy's in the casket.
You should all remember that it's not a personal sacrifice but a sacrifice and lost made by many.
Quote:
TEARFUL HOMECOMING
Grieving community pays respect to fallen soldier
Posted By Ernst Kuglin – The Trentonian
Posted 1 day ago
The long motorcade of limousines slowly makes its way along Repatriation Row.
Hundreds of people have lined the Boulevard that divides CFB Trenton.
A window in the lead car is rolled down.
Inside the car Roger Dubé manages an appreciative smile to the people lining both sides of the street. He gives two thumbs up.
Moments before his son Cpl. Martin Dubé was repatriated to Canada, the 120th Canadian soldier to be killed in Afghanistan.
Limousines carrying other family members have their windows rolled down. A member of the family manages a wave with her right hand. Her left handing, holding a handkerchief, is wiping away the tears.
Dubé, 35, was killed June 14 near the Panjwai District about 20-km southwest of Kandahar City when a roadside bomb he was trying to diffuse explode. The blast also killed an Afghan policeman.
Dubé was from the 5e Régiment de genie de combat based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier near Quebec City. He was serving as a member of the Joint Task Force Headquarters.
A piper from 1st Cav played a lament as the motorcade slowly made its way through the crowd.
At Wednesday’s repatriation ceremony were Governor General Michaëlle Jean, Defence Minister Peter MacKay and other military dignitaries who stood with the Dubé family.
The casket carrying Dubé’s remains was carried off the C-17 by eight members of his unit. Some could not hold back the tears as they carried their comrade to a waiting hearse.
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Following the ceremony family members hugged one another and were then escorted to waiting limousines.
New Jersey resident Carol Messick had never witnessed a repatriation ceremony.
“They don’t do this in the U.S.,’’ said Messick, standing near the chain-link fence. She has a clear view of the ceremony and watches quietly as an honour guard marches on to the tarmac.
Messick’s husband is a Boeing employee providing technical support for the C-17s.
“They should do this at home,’’ said Messick. “Every soldier deserves this type of respect. This is truly amazing. It’s the reality of the situation … to think about how his (Dubé’s) loved ones will be without their son, brother or boyfriend.’’
Kathleen Boggs moved to Trenton two years ago. Her husband is also a Boeing employee. They moved from Washington State.
Boggs has been to nearly every repat during those two years.
“I always get a sense the families appreciate us being here. It‘s important that people see the sacrifice that is being made,’’ she said. “It’s also a privilege and an honour for us to be here to pay our respects … It also makes me proud to stand here with so many strangers.’’
Quinte West Mayor John Williams has been to every repat since being elected in November, 2006. “I look at it as an opportunity to be able to offer our support to family members on behalf of the city,’’ he said.
Once again, municipal flags at all city buildings were lowered to half-mast, honouring the sacrifice of Dubé and 13 other soldiers killed in Afghanistan in 2009.
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