Newly arrived members of the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment pose beside a Canadian flag left behind on their bunker on Saturday, Feb.3, 2007. Left to right are Pte. Brad Eatman, Cpl. Steve Bungay, Pte. John Geue, Master Cpl. Mark Turcotte, Pte. Rob Cummer, Pte., Corey Balcom, Sgt. Dwayne Jackman and Cpl. Brian Hilson. The first wave of 1,160 troops from the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) and reserve units from around Atlantic Canada have begun pouring into the trenches, dugouts and fortified positions in the Panjwaii and Zhari districts of Afghanistan, west of Kandahar.
NBers reach battlefield
For Cpl. Alexander Darroch, the last six months of combat in southern Afghanistan have been "one big spin" in his mind.
It's been a mad kaleidoscope of firefights, seemingly endless stretches of boredom, rocket attacks, unbearable heat, patrols, sweat, food in plastic bags, infrequent showers and more patrols.
All that came to an end this weekend as members of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR), based in Petawawa, Ont., were relieved by fresh troops from bases in Atlantic Canada.
"Good luck to these guys," said Darroch, who spoke reluctantly.
Hopefully they stay safe, know what I mean?" "The weather's starting to warm up again and hopefully they have a better go than we did.
CP
A view of the bunker and trench system as fresh troops of the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment from CFB Gagetown arrive on Saturday at Strong Point Centre, west of Kandahar.
Everything that Darroch didn't want to say was betrayed by the slight trembling of his hand.
The first wave of 1,160 troops from the CFB Gagetown-based 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) and reserve units from around Atlantic Canada have begun pouring into the trenches, dugouts and fortified positions in the Panjwaii and Zhari districts, west of Kandahar. They are replacing soldiers who have endured the bloodiest combat Canadians have seen in half a century - fighting that took the lives of 19 soldiers since August.
What they have lived through, witnessed and done has left an indelible mark on each one of them. Pte. Jacob Williams' family and friends have noticed it already.
"I'm told on leave that I look different, act different," said the Hamilton native, who seemed thin and tired.
"I can't explain it to you because I have no idea what they're talking about, (but) I'll give it to them. I've seen a lot of weird stuff. Some of the guys have done a lot of weird stuff. I'm sure it's changed us all - who knows what, for ... better or worse."
CP
Sgt. David Horocuk, of 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment based at CFB Gagetown, takes a break Saturday at Strong Point Centre west of Kandahar, Afghanistan
The homecoming to the so-called real world, where some in Canada are skeptical of the need of their sacrifice, will be challenging.
As Col. Omer Lavoie toured strong points - fortified positions - this weekend along Route Summit, the road Canada is building outside Panjwaii, he was mindful of the wounds his men will carry home.
"I was asked at one point in time whether I have any scars," said Lavoie, who's seen his vehicle splayed with shrapnel.
A Canadian soldier stands guard yesterday after a suicide attack on the outskirts of Kandahar. A suicide bomber in an explosives filled car attacked a NATO convoy. No NATO troops were injured in the blast.
"Sincerely, I've got 19 scars. I lost 19 soldiers across this tour. That's going to be part of me. That's going to be part of every soldier that leaves this tour because there isn't one soldier who hasn't lost a very close friend, a good buddy or a leader, myself included."
On Nov. 27, Lavoie lost his regimental sergeant major, Chief Warrant Officer Robert Girouard, to a suicide bomber attack.
"That moment is certainly scarred in me forever, but so is the life of every other of the soldiers I've lost in this theatre," he said.
[ February 05, 2007, 06:46: Message edited by: Jesse-Joe ]