Posted on 05/17/2006 2:28:07 PM PDT by Clive
Canadian Soldier killed in Afghanistan
CEFCOM NR–06.009 - May 17, 2006
OTTAWA – A Canadian soldier was killed during a firefight with insurgents that occurred approximately 24 kilometres west of Kandahar. The incident occurred at approximately 6:55 p.m. Kandahar time (10: 25 a.m. EDT) on 17 May.
Killed was Captain Nichola Kathleen Sarah Goddard who was serving with Task Force Afghanistan as part of the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (1 PPCLI) Battle Group. Captain Goddard was stationed with the 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in Shilo, Manitoba; her next-of-kin have been notified.
The repatriation of Captain Goddard’s remains is now being planned.
Capt Goddard was engaged in a significant operation, one in which Canadian soldiers were in support of Afghan authorities, when she was killed. That operation was a clearance operation by Afghan security personnel in Kandahar province north of the Arghandab River and west of Kandahar City.
Canadian Forces, in cooperation with the Government of Afghanistan, assist Afghan security forces in the conduct of these operations to rid the region of those insurgents seeking to destabilize the security situation in which the Afghan people live and raise their families.
The Afghan security forces, assisted by Canadians, are succeeding. Preliminary results of this contact indicate that a significant number of Taliban were killed in this action.
Canada’s mission in Afghanistan is part of our contribution to the international campaign to help bring stability and security to the people of Afghanistan. The overarching goal is to help the Afghan people achieve peace by preventing their nation from relapsing into a failed state that gives terrorist and terrorist organizations a safe haven.
There are significant risks involved in these operations, but Canadian Forces members are among the best trained, and most experienced soldiers in the world. We are achieving results – we are assisting the Afghan authorities to achieve the results necessary to bring security and stability to this region. And Capt Goddard’s death was the price today of ensuring that tens of thousands of men, women and children of Afghanistan can have hope that their future will be brighter.
-
Canada ping.
Please FReepmail me to get on or off this ping list.
Sad news.
Again I hope that Freepers are recognising the sacrifices that Canadian soldiers are making.
Dust My Broom has the links...
http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca/netpub/server.np?find&catalog=photos&template=detail_e.np&field=itemid&op=matches&value=12192&site=combatcamera
and the details here:
http://www.ccnmatthews.com/news/releases/show.jsp?action=showRelease&searchText=false&showText=all&actionFor=595332
I salute our Canadian Brothers In Arms in Afganistan and the sacrifices they have made!
Ping!
HERO!
Into the Eyes of the last Soldier standing...
Carnage no Human should have to engage.
From Fields of Flesh, to Rivers of Blood...
Same ole' story...just another page.
Into the Heart, of the last Soldier standing...
A warm-thought of Family...the High School Band.
Yesterday, standing with Trumpet in hand...
Today, by herself...with Rifle in hand.
Into the Mind, of the last Soldier standing...
Reflecting how Life, could wreak such Disaster.
Watching o'er the Soul, of her seargent, and friend...
Wonderin' if there be a here-after.
Into the Body, of the last Soldier standing...
Never felt the bullet pierce her Spine.
Looking to the clouds for the High School Band...
Never knew, she'd be their first to die.
Into the Soul of the last Soldier standing...
The Terror of a Girl...now be quelled.
Soon she'll hear Trumpets, on another Stage...
Her welcome....... A Band of Angels.
Frank James Ryan, Jr.
THANK YOU ACHARA, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE WITH ANGELS TAKING YOU HOME.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.