Thursday, April 18, 2002
Words fail me. My heart is heavy. God bless our Canadian Troops.
My prayers are with the families and friends of the four Canadian soldiers who were senselessly killed by an American bomb in Afghanistan today.
I pray for the swift recovery of those who are wounded and in pain.
I pray for the safe return of our Canadian Armed Forces.
I pray for peace on earth.
Four Canadian soldiers serving with the 3rd Batallion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group have been killed in a training camp near Kandahar, Afghanistan.
We grieve the tragic loss of
Sgt. Marc D. Leger, Lancaster, Ontario, age 29
Cpl. Ainsworth Dyer, Montreal, Quebec, age 25
Pte. Richard A. Green, Hubbards, Nova Scotia, age 22
Pte. Nathan Smith, small town near Halifax, Nova Scotia, age 27
In addition eight soldiers are wounded; two with life-threatening injuries, one with very serious injuries and five with serious injuries.
Our prayers are with Sgt. Loren E. Ford, 33; MCpl. Stanley P. Clark, 35; MCpl. Curtis R. Hollister, 29; Cpl. Shane R. Brennan, 28; Cpl. Brian M. Decaire, 25; Cpl. Rene Paquette, 33; Cpl. Brett R. Perry, 26; Pte. Norman D. Link, 24.
"This unexplained tragedy occurred in an area that is recognized as a training area for not only Canadian but coalition troops."
The United States has offered its cooperation to Canadian Authorities who will carry out a full and complete investigation.
A Board of Inquiry is convened and will be conducted as quickly as possible.
"THEIR LOSS IS SHARED BY ALL OF US." .......
General Ray Henault, Chief of the Defence Staff.
"CANADIANS WILL NOT FORGET."...............
Art Eggleton, Defence Minister.
"ALINE JOINS ME EXTENDING OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING AT THIS DIFFICULT HOUR AND OFFER OUR PRAYERS FOR THE FULL RECOVERY OF THE WOUNDED."......from a statement by Prime Minister Jean Chretien.
