Canadian families of the fallen in KAF

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.

Wendy recently returned from a six month stay in KAF, where she worked as a civilian, living and serving alongside the hundreds of Canadian - and coalition - troops; men and women just like her son, who serve on behalf of all Canadians.

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.

Air India Flight 182: Twenty five years ago

PM to Air India families: 'We are sorry'

Last Updated: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 | 11:57 PM ET

CBC News

Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently met with members of the Air India Victims Families Association in his office on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. (Chris Wattie/Reuters)

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will mark the 25th anniversary of the Air India bombing by saying "we are sorry" to families of the victims.

"Some wounds are too deep to be healed even by the remedy of time," Harper will say on Wednesday in Toronto in a speech he wrote himself. "We are sorry."

An excerpt from the speech was obtained by CBC News.

Harper will say the destruction of Air India Flight 182 "was, and remains, the single worst act of terrorism in Canadian history."

He will describe terrorism as "an enemy with a thousand faces, and a hatred that festers in the darkest spots of the human mind."

"This was evil, perpetrated by cowards. Despicable, senseless and vicious," Harper will say.

The prime minister will discuss compensation, but will not mention an amount.

Harper's apology follows a scathing report released last week by former Supreme Court justice John C. Major. He blamed a "cascading series of errors" by government, the RCMP and the country's spy agency for failing to prevent the disaster.

Harper called the report a "damning indictment of many things that occurred before and after the tragedy" which the government is "determined to avoid in the future."

There is more, here. Also check out the links in the sidebar on that page.

There is a massive archive on this terrorist act, and the aftermath in the subsequent years:

(AP Photo/Jane Wolsak)

IN DEPTH: AIR INDIA
The Bombing of Air India Flight 182
CBC News Online | September 25, 2006


On March 16, 2005, a B.C. Supreme Court judge acquitted Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri on eight charges related to the bombing of Air India Flight 182 on June 22, 1985. It was Canada's worst mass murder - 329 people were killed. Two baggage handlers at Tokyo's Narita Airport died in another connected bombing.

The investigation and prosecution of the accused have been the costliest in Canadian history, estimated at about $130 million.

An inquiry into the bombing of Air India 182 — how it occurred, why the law has failed to find those responsible and whether in could happen again — began on June 21, 2006. The first three hearings were held on July 18, 19 and 20. The inquiry began hearing evidence on Sept. 25, starting with the relatives of some victims.

It all started more than 20 years ago.

Ajaib Singh Bagri [left] (CP Photo/Chuck Stoody) and Ripudaman Singh Malik (CP Photo/Richard Lam)

June 22, 1985. Airline agent Jeanne Bakermans checks in two pieces of luggage at Vancouver International Airport that will change the course of history.

Hours later, the first suitcase explodes inside the baggage terminal at Tokyo's Narita Airport while being transferred to an Air India flight. Two baggage handlers are killed. Exactly 55 minutes later, the other bag, a dark-brown hard-sided Samsonite suitcase, explodes in the forward cargo hold of Air India Flight 182 as it approaches the coast of Ireland.

Some passengers actually survive the 747's fall from 31,000 feet only to die in the frigid waters of the Atlantic. (For more on the background, go here)

The BBC has this:

1985: Air India jet crashes killing 329

A passenger jet has disintegrated in mid-air off the coast of Ireland, killing all 329 people on board.

The Air India flight was only 45 minutes from London Heathrow when it suddenly disappeared from radar screens at 0816 BST.

Airline officials said they do not know the cause of the crash, but suspected it was caused by a bomb planted by Sikh extremists.

The Boeing 747 plunged into the sea from 30,000 ft (9,144 m) and rescue officials said they did not expect to find survivors. The pilot had no time to issue a mayday message, according to the coastguard.

Flight AI 182 was flying from Toronto to London with a stopover at Montreal. Most of the passengers were of Indian origin and intending to fly on to Bombay or Delhi.

There is a large slick of fuel about 4.5 miles long and a lot of wreckage on the surface RAF pilot Paul Redfern

The plane had already been delayed at Mirabel Airport, Montreal, where Canadian Mounties removed three suspicious packages.

The rescue operation is being co-ordinated by the coastguard in Plymouth and Falmouth, and four RAF helicopters are being used to search for bodies. ..

Lots more here.

Gutfeld's 15 minutes are UP!

It is being reported - by the CBC no less - that Gutfeld of FOX has apologised. I am going to give you the apology verbatim(as reported by the CBC, anyways.):

Fox host apologizes for mocking of Canadian Forces

Last Updated: Monday, March 23, 2009 | 2:53 PM ET

"The March 17th episode of Red Eye included a segment discussing Canada's plan for a 'synchronized break,' which was in no way an attempt to make light of troop efforts," host Greg Gutfeld said in a statement issued Monday.

"However, I realize that my words may have been misunderstood. It was not my intent to disrespect the brave men, women and families of the Canadian military, and for that I apologize.

"Red Eye is a satirical take on the news, in which all topics are addressed in a lighthearted, humorous and ridiculous manner," he added...

Check out the whole story on CBC online here if you must. It shows that 700 comments have been left on the story. As has been pointed out in various places, this show is on in the middle of the night and really has no influence at all. Apparently Gutfeld and his cronies are 'not ready for prime time.' Oh, and no, I cannot find anything on Fox site re an apology. But never mind.

Too late for him to try and spin the comments made on that episode as being "misunderstood." From all I have read the last day or so, there has been no misunderstanding. The only person who miscalculated, misunderstood, was Gutfeld and his post-midnight minions. Boo-frickin-hoo! As far as I am concerned, Gutfeld's 15 minutes of notoriety are OVER. I refuse to waste any more time on this excuse for a very little person, who is NOT typical of the well-informed articulate Americans I know and love. As far as I am concerned, Gutfeld is now persona non grata.

Move along, folks. That show is over..

CBC to 'The One': Listen up!

I think everybody knows I have HUGE issues with the national broadcaster - Canadian Broadcasting Corp - but their latest "idea" is absurd. I was going to write about it myself, but Judi McLeod of Canada Free Press beat me to it. Read on:

Canada Free Press’ song suggestions

Canadian Broadcasting Corp. sucks up to `Be-Bop Barry’

By Judi McLeod Tuesday, December 30, 2008

When he’s out there jogging to get a physique as impressive as Vladimir Putin’s, Barack Obama needs some Canadian content for his IPod.

CBC Radio 2, which has a lot more time than imagination is asking Canadians to pick 49 songs that best represent Canada for President-Elect Barack Obama.

“Beginning Monday, January 5, CBC Radio 2 invites Canadians to help select the top “49 songs from north of the 49th parallel” that best define our country to the incoming U.S. President Barack Obama,” says a CBC media release describing the initiative.

Lefties love lefties and like their hero NDP leader Jack Layton, CBC would do most anything to flag “The One’s” attention.

“One of the best ways to know Canada is through the depth and breadth of our artistic expression,” says Denise Donlon, executive director of English Radio. “We’re excited about the new president and we want him to be excited about us, so we’re asking our audience to help compile the list of our most definitive Canadian songs.” ...

MY tax dollars at work! Ain't it grand? NOT!!! Judi has some great song suggestions to help the dimwits at CBC, but somehow I don't think her choices will be selected by the CBC. For a good laugh, go read the rest of this piece here.

I am so glad that the CBC is "... excited about the new president..." but I don't give a hoot if he is "excited about us." Really I don't. How about: "YO! Obama. We are NOT the 58th state!"

Methinks this is going to be a loooooong four years. Sigh.