In what was the last of ten days of national mourning for the first deaths in an offensive military mission in almost fifty years, when Canada fought with the UN-led war in Korea, as there were no Canadian deaths in either the Gulf War or the air strikes in Yugoslavia. However 111 Canadians have died in peacekeeping duties.
The four men that were killed by the American fighter-jet pilot were 29-year-old Sergeant Marc D. Léger of Lancaster, Ontario; 24-year-old Corporal Ainsworth Dyer of Montréal, Québec; 21-year-old Private Richard Green of Mill Cove, Nova Scotia; and 27-year-old Private Nathan Smith of Porter's Lake, Nova Scotia. The friendly-fire accident occurred on April 18, 2002.
When I heard the news about these deaths, I was angry. For many reasons. Firstly, four of my countrymen were killed, and eight more injured in what appeared to be something that should not happen. I was angry at the United States who have shown me again that they aren't as precise and knowledgeable in their military undertakings as they claim to be. I was angry that Mr. George Bush although having expressed sorrow has not apologized to Canada or the families of the four men, either on behalf of the United States Army, which he commands or on behalf of one of his nationals, the pilot. Perhaps I'm being just a tad harsh. Yet it's frustrating after the support that Canada has given the United States in this war that in my opinion isn't doing anything against terrorism.
But Sunday was not a time to be angry. Nor was it a time to be even more disillusioned about the government of the States or the military operations that go on stateside. It wasn't a time to lay the blame on anyone. Answers will come later, as both the Americans and Canadians have begun inquiries.
Instead, we remember these individuals, these people who died for their country, these strong men who will be symbols to Canada, like the men who gave up their lives for the honour and freedom of Canada in the many wars in which we acted offensively whether it be the South African Boer War, First World War, Second World War or Korean War. No, these men are no longer soldiers who were sent off to Afghanistan, they are now heroes, who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation.
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