'Letters from Home' arrive in Afghanistan
Published Monday November 10th, 2008
KANDAHAR - Dear Readers, Monctonians and New Brunswickers:
Tomorrow we join with our fellow Canadians at home to remember our veterans with a moment of silence at 11 a.m.
We of Kandahar Air Field, more than 2,500 Canadian soldiers -- including hundreds of New Brunswickers based in Camp Gagetown, Moncton and military bases all over our nation -- as well as military and civilian support staff, will all be with you.
At home, it will still be Monday in the wee hours of the morning when our Remembrance Day Service begins.
I mention the time to illustrate how far from home our soldiers here really are.
Yet they ʽsoldier onʼ through the pain of separation from loved ones, through enormous physical exertion, through Spartan living conditions and through grave danger.
I'ʼve experienced only the tiniest fraction of only some of these things in my few days here; just a taste, just enough to understand for the first time how richly deserving our ʽnew veteransʼ are of our respect, admiration and support.
Just a few weeks ago, we invited you to send your support to our New Brunswick and Canadian troops, participants in what many see as Canadaʼs great war effort of the new generation.
It is an effort that we at The Times & Transcript believe is honourable and worthwhile and, many of you responded admirably.