Thanks for the ping, Clive.
Posted on 10/30/2009 7:06:51 PM PDT by Clive
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- For the second time in three days, a young Canadian soldier whose tour in Afghanistan had just begun was killed when he stepped on a homemade landmine.
Sapper Steven Marshall had been in Afghanistan less than one week in what was to have been a six-month tour, when he died while on patrol in Panjwaii District about 10 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City. No other Canadians were wounded in the incident.
"He was eager to get out and make a difference," said Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, the commander of Task Force Kandahar, who described Marshall as "a man of action" who would "be remembered as the life of his section."
"He had an incredible sense of humour and a contagious grin that never left his face, even during the most difficult moments. He would embrace any situation and always found and shared that silver lining with his mates."
The 24-year-old soldier was a combat engineer with the 11th Field Squadron, 1st Combat Engineer Regiment. The unit is attached to the Edmonton-based 1 Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry battle group, which only took over from the Quebec-based Royal 22nd Regiment two weeks ago.
Marshall was killed in action about 15 kilometres away from where Lt. Justin Boyes, 26, of Saskatoon, was killed Wednesday by an improvised explosive device, as he led a joint foot patrol with Afghan National Police on Wednesday morning.
"At the time of his death, Steven was working toward securing the Panjwaii District in order to provide a more stable environment for the Afghan population living there," Vance said. "A stable environment is the best defence against insurgents, because they have no way to counter the positive effects that soldiers like Steven bring to bear."
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalpost.com ...
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Which reminds me...how did Obama do on the golf course today? Is that new putter working for him?
Thanks for the ping, Clive.
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