Our Fallen Comrade Returns Home (Trooper Larry Rudd, royal Canadian Dragoons)

OTTAWA - Our fallen comrade, Trooper Larry Rudd, from The Royal Canadian Dragoons, serving with 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Petawawa, Ontario, returns home to Canada tomorrow.

Present to pay their respects will be The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff, and other dignitaries.

Trooper Larry Rudd was killed after an improvised explosive device detonated during a routine security operation, about 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City, in the Panjwa’i District, Afghanistan, at approximately 12:30 p.m. Kandahar time on 24 May 2010.

For more information: Captain Mark Peebles, 8 Wing/CFB Trenton Public Affairs Officer Tel: (613) 392-2811, ext. 2041, Cell: (613)-243-6358 or via e-mail: mark.peebles@forces.gc.ca

As this is a solemn and formal occasion, all attending are requested to dress appropriately.

Rest in peace trooper Rudd. Thank you for your service to Queen and Country.

The Last Post:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4NtSqZcT_4

THE FINAL INSPECTION

The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

‘Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you ?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?’

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
‘No, Lord, I guess I ain’t.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can’t always be a saint.

I’ve had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I’ve been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn’t mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I’ve wept unmanly tears.

I know I don’t deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you’ve a place for me here, Lord,
It needn’t be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don’t, I’ll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

‘Step forward now, you soldier,
You’ve borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets,
You’ve done your time in Hell.’

Author Unknown~

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