Comments for Just saying - because it needs saying...

Just saying - because it needs saying...

2006-09-07T11:55:41Z

AR2006-G020-013
05 Sept 2006
Kandahar, Afghanistan
Canadian soldiers pay tribute to fallen comrades, WO Frank Mellish, WO Richard Nolan, Sgt Shane Stachnik and Pte Mark Graham during a Ramp Ceremony held at the Kandahar Air Field.

Task Force Afghanistan is part of Canada�s contribution to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. This mission is about Canadians and their international partners helping Afghans rebuild their lives, their families, their communities and their nation. Canadian operations will work to improve the quality of life of Afghans by providing a secure environment in which Afghan society can recover from more than 25 years of conflict.

The Canadian Forces (CF) contribution in Afghanistan comprises about 2,000 soldiers, most of whom serve with Task Force Afghanistan at Kandahar Airfield and Camp Nathan Smith in Kandahar City. Additional personnel are assigned to Kabul, various military headquarters, and civilian organizations.

Photo by: Sgt Lou Penney
TFA OP ATHENA
Imagery Technician">

English/Anglais
AR2006-G020-013
05 Sept 2006
Kandahar, Afghanistan
Canadian soldiers pay tribute to fallen comrades, WO Frank Mellish, WO Richard Nolan, Sgt Shane Stachnik and Pte Mark Graham during a Ramp Ceremony held at the Kandahar Air Field.

Task Force Afghanistan is part of Canada�s contribution to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. This mission is about Canadians and their international partners helping Afghans rebuild their lives, their families, their communities and their nation. Canadian operations will work to improve the quality of life of Afghans by providing a secure environment in which Afghan society can recover from more than 25 years of conflict.

The Canadian Forces (CF) contribution in Afghanistan comprises about 2,000 soldiers, most of whom serve with Task Force Afghanistan at Kandahar Airfield and Camp Nathan Smith in Kandahar City. Additional personnel are assigned to Kabul, various military headquarters, and civilian organizations.

Photo by: Sgt Lou Penney
TFA OP ATHENA
Imagery Technician

Damian, speaking at The Torch, sends us to Bruce, at Flit, who has an interesting analysis of who is paying the price in the GWOT. You should go visit both sites, for the comments are instructive, and I'll not snatch and publish Bruce's figures here, you should go look yourself - why? As Bruce notes:

I suspect most Americans would not reflexively rate Canada, Bulgaria, and the pusillanimous Spanish as their greatest allies after Britain. I do wish they'd start.

Bruce isn't speaking to me, this being the most Canadian-flavored US milblog I'm aware of - but I rather suspect he's right. Though... I'll still give the Spanish government a pass.

A commenter at Damian's notes:

cynical joe said... You make a good point about guarding against boasting about death totals, but I do wish some American commentators would stop mentioning how great an ally Australia is without at least mentioning our larger role and larger sacrifice. Of course I mean no disrespect to our Australian allies and friends just an awareness that Canada is doing its share and more.

Word.

Private Graham we've already mentioned here..

Let's put some more faces to some recent names.

Warrant Officer Frank Robert Mellish, a member of 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Petawawa, Ontario was killed on September 3, 2006 fighting against Taliban insurgents approximately 15 km west of Kandahar City. Warrant Officer Mellish�s unit was part of Operation MEDUSA, a significant combined effort between the Afghan National Security Forces, Canada and our other NATO partners in the International Security Assistance Force aimed at removing armed militants from the Panjwayi and Zhari district region so that displaced villagers can return to their homes and re-establish their livelihoods without living in constant fear of the Taliban.
Le 3 septembre 2006, l�adjudant Frank Robert Mellish, membre du 1st Bataillon du Royal Canadian Regiment bas� � Petawa en Ontario, a perdu la vie dans les combats contre les insurg�s talibans qui se sont d�roul�s � environ 15 km � l�ouest de la ville de Kandahar. L�unit� de l�adjudant Mellish participait � l�op�ration MEDUSA, une op�ration d�envergure entre les forces afghanes de s�curit� nationale, le Canada et autres partenaires de l�OTAN qui font partie de la Force internationale d�assistance � la s�curit�, qui visait � chasser les militants arm�s de la r�gion des districts de Panjwayi et Zhari, afin que les villageois d�plac�s retournent chez eux et refassent leurs vies sans avoir constamment peur des Talibans.

Sergeant Shane Stachnik, a member of 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, based in Petawawa, Ontario was killed on September 3, 2006 fighting against Taliban insurgents approximately 15 km west of Kandahar City. Sergeant Stachnik�s unit was part of Operation MEDUSA, a significant combined effort between the Afghan National Security Forces, Canada and our other NATO partners in the International Security Assistance Force aimed at removing armed militants from the Panjwayi and Zhari district region so that displaced villagers can return to their homes and re-establish their livelihoods without living in constant fear of the Taliban. Le Sergent Shane Stachnik, un membre du 2e R�giment de g�nie de combat, bas� � Petawawa, Ontario, fut tu� le 3 septembre 2006, pendant un engagement contre des insurg�s Talibans � environ 15 km � l�ouest de Kandahar. L�unit� du Sergent Stachnik faisait parti de l�op�ration MEDUSA, une op�ration de stabilisation � grande �chelle de la FIAS visant � chasser les militants arm�s de la r�gion des districts de Panjwayi et Zhari pour que les villageois d�plac�s poussent retourner chez eux et reprendre leurs vies sans craindre constamment les Talibans.

Warrant Officer Richard Francis Nolan, a member of 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Petawawa, Ontario was killed on September 3, 2006 fighting against Taliban insurgents approximately 15 km west of Kandahar City. Warrant Officer Nolan�s unit was part of Operation MEDUSA, a significant combined effort between the Afghan National Security Forces, Canada and our other NATO partners in the International Security Assistance Force aimed at removing armed militants from the Panjwayi and Zhari district region so that displaced villagers can return to their homes and re-establish their livelihoods without living in constant fear of the Taliban. Le 3 septembre 2006, l�adjudant Richard Francis Nolan, membre du 1st Battalion du Royal Canadian Regiment bas� � Petawa en Ontario, a perdu la vie dans les combats contre les insurg�s talibans qui se sont d�roul�s � environ 15 km � l�ouest de la ville de Kandahar. L�unit� de l�adjudant Nolan participait � l�op�ration MEDUSA, une op�ration d�envergure entre les forces afghanes de s�curit� nationale, le Canada et autres partenaires de l�OTAN qui font partie de la Force internationale d�assistance � la s�curit�, qui visait � chasser les militants arm�s de la r�gion des districts de Panjwayi et Zhari, afin que les villageois d�plac�s retournent chez eux et refassent leurs vies sans avoir constamment peur des Talibans.

Private William Jonathan James Cushley, a member of 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Petawawa, Ontario was killed on September 3, 2006 fighting against Taliban insurgents approximately 15 km west of Kandahar City. Private Cushley�s unit was part of Operation MEDUSA, a significant combined effort between the Afghan National Security Forces, Canada and our other NATO partners in the International Security Assistance Force aimed at removing armed militants from the Panjwayi and Zhari district region so that displaced villagers can return to their homes and re-establish their livelihoods without living in constant fear of the Taliban.
Le Soldat William Jonathan James Cushley, un membre du 1er Bataillon, The Royal Canadian Regiment, bas� � Petawawa, Ontario, fut tu� le 3 setempbre 2006, au cours de combats contre des insurg�s talibans � environ 15 km � l�ouest de Kandahar. L�unit� du Soldat Cushley faisait parti de l�op�ration MEDUSA, une op�ration de stabilisation � grande �chelle de la FIAS visant � chasser les militants arm�s de la r�gion des districts de Panjwayi et Zhari pour que les villageois d�plac�s poussent retourner chez eux et reprendre leurs vies sans craindre constamment les Talibans. Photo Sgt Ron Hartlen

Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam.

Comment from CW4 KG Peterson on 2006-09-09

2006-09-09T21:56:44Z

Dem Candiens, eh, dey are da good guys. Molsons, LaBatts, whatever. I'm buying. Truly saddens me when we lose brothers in arms doing their part to make the world a safe and decent place for those of us who are not stuck in the 9th Century and in a culture that glorifies death. Atten - HUT Hand SALUTE Ready TO Carry on lads. We will tend to the unfinished business. Put your drinks on my tab, eh. Kevin CW4,TC (ret) Marine Engineering Officer

Comment from CW4 KG Peterson on 2006-09-09

2006-09-09T21:56:25Z

Comment from Damian on 2006-09-08

2006-09-09T01:19:06Z

Well, since Lake Michigan is actually your own private pond, as compared to the other four, I'm guessing it wouldn't be as big a deal as if you were to do it from Buffalo.

Comment from ry on 2006-09-08

2006-09-08T23:28:08Z

I wonder how they're going to react to the Coasties wanting to shoot into the Great Lakes for training near Chi-town if they're twitchy about COasties packin' on the water?

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2006-09-08

2006-09-08T18:10:33Z

Ry - you're correct about the treaty. Frequent commenter/contributor Larry has a son in the Coast Guard who works the Lakes, and there is twitchyness over having small arms aboard, openly displayed.

Comment from ry on 2006-09-08

2006-09-08T16:47:37Z

Thanks for the back up Damian. And, now that I think about it, you're utterly right that a GWB endorsement would torpedo the current Canadian Gov't. The anti-American kind of thing is bound to happen though. Self righteous snobbery is cheap and easy. We find ways to live with it. As far as I can tell the treaty that disarmed the Great Lakes after 1814 is still in effect. We still have each other as major trading partners, mutual defense pacts, and trade celebrities back and forth over the border. And you're right about not everything being pure anti-Americanism. Soft timber wood being one(quick, get a muzzle on Al before he goes off!).

Comment from Damian on 2006-09-08

2006-09-08T14:08:10Z

I hear you, Ry, and I wish it was that simple. But anti-Americanism in Canada stretches way, WAY further back than Paul frickin' Martin. Try going all the way back to your War of Independence, and the Loyalists who emigrated north to stay under Crown rule. Canadian politicians of all stripes find it very difficult to refrain from sniping at the U.S., because there's really no domestic political downside to doing it from time to time. Go overboard, and maybe, MAYBE you take a small and temporary hit in the polls. But Jean Chretien tossed blame at the U.S. for 9-11, and he won back-to-back-to-back majority governments up here. I'm ashamed to say it, but there is a deep wellspring of anti-Americanism in my country, and contrary to what many say, it doesn't matter a whit which President or party is in power. That's not to say that all criticism of your country from above the 49th can be written off as simple anti-Americanism, but much of it sholuld be. The funny thing is, many of the same folks who call Americans a bunch of trigger-happy cowboys and deride Bush as an illiterate dimwit, would be lost without U.S. technology, U.S. entertainment, U.S. franchises to shop at, U.S. employers, etc. And even more than that, they'd be lost without having the U.S. around to condescend to. For them, Canada's main worth is that it's not the U.S. I'm not talking about all of us up here, or even a majority of us. But it's a significant minority, and it's one that shouldn't be papered over, dismissed, or ignored. That's why when AFSister says with the best intentions "I wonder if Bush will align himself with the Canadian government more often now that Blair has announced his resignation next year," I cringe. How many Americans - friendly, neighbourly, and genuine - would understand that could be the kiss of death for the Harper government?

Comment from ry on 2006-09-07

2006-09-08T03:18:44Z

Triblesessssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(or is Donald Duck a better way of doing this? &^%&*^()^&^$$#!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I do know that. harper and his crowd Alan McLeod constantly refers to as 'THe Rural OVerlords'---ask Al how many times I've been smacked around defending Harper over at GenX40(and probably come close to being banned over there for my efforts). That wasn't the point. Who in America knows who the Aus leader was befor Howard? Who was in charge before Martin? ANd why don't we know these things? Simple---no controversy no story. The point was that chowderheads like Martin and his cabinet ministers messed up, which wound up souring AmCan relations. That was exacerbated by other chowderheads saying how much they hated America on weblogs during the '04 elections. Dang Trible with LEggs. I may have to start ankle bitting again. I'm turning into Dangerfield here. No respect. ;)

Comment from Justthisguy on 2006-09-07

2006-09-08T03:12:29Z

I have just now spilled a bit of the malt liquid on the ground in their honor, and will now load the Alford disc and cue "The Great Little Army."

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2006-09-07

2006-09-07T20:54:48Z

John - amazing how he unself-consciously makes his own point, innit?

Comment from J.M. Heinrichs on 2006-09-07

2006-09-07T20:28:25Z

Ry Steven Harper has been Prime Minister for over eight months now ... See here: http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=1147 Cheers

Comment from ry on 2006-09-07

2006-09-07T19:38:37Z

We love them Northern Cousins. We really do. BUt like us they've got some big mouthed chowderheads who say stupid sheet that mucks up the general impression the avg person gets. Most of what gets play in the press is the big politicos and jack@55ery, and that's about all most people care to find out about. That's why Howard's actions have gotten most American's to be real favorable toward the Men From Aus while Martin's actions haven't produced the same For the Men Who Say Eh. Sorry about that. But we're glad to have you guys on the same side of the fight with us. We really are.

Comment from AFSister on 2006-09-07

2006-09-07T12:51:03Z

Canada gets a "french" rap when it comes to their military for some reason. They've been right there with us all along, but their government just isn't very vocal about it. I wonder if Bush will align himself with the Canadian government more often now that Blair has announced his resignation next year.

Comment from MajMike on 2006-09-07

2006-09-07T12:16:02Z

God bless them one and all... ...and serve up a round of Labatts down in Fiddler's Green, they've earned it.