From the CBC:
Kandahar base hosts families of fallen soldiers
Last Updated: Thursday, February 10, 2011 | 12:48 PM ET
CBC News
Families of fallen Canadian soldiers were in Afghanistan on Thursday for a ceremony at Kandahar Airfield to pay their respects to their loved ones.
Some of the family members of eight Canadian soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan attend a memorial service Thursday at Kandahar Airfield. (CBC)
Bagpipes and the sound of driving rain greeted the 14 relatives who came to southern Afghanistan to honour eight fallen soldiers.
One by one, family members laid wreaths by the etched plaques that bear a likeness of soldiers who have died as part of the Afghan mission.
They wiped tears from their eyes with scarves on an unusually blustery day in southern Afghanistan.
Beverly Skaalrud's 24-year-old son, Pte. Braun Woodfield, died in southern Afghanistan six years ago when the armoured vehicle he was in rolled over on a highway. She said she had to make the trip to Afghanistan, "just to experience what he had last seen."...(more here)
As my regular readers know(all three of you!) the families of our fallen hold a special place in my heart. Last year I was privileged to share here the account of another Canadian mother's journey to KAF. Wendy Hayward, mother of fallen hero Cpl. James Arnal, who I first introduced to my readers here, wrote of her experiences as she traveled for the first time to the place where her most beloved son gave his life. Her column, I was...In the Middle of Nowhere is a must read here, if you missed it the first time round.
At the CBC link above, there is also a brief video clip with one of the mothers who is in KAF today. Take a look, and remember to ALWAYS honour our fallen, and their families.
The families also serve.
