Some Gave All: Master Corporal Byron Greff

Master Corporal Byron Greff

From the DND:

October 29, 2011

OTTAWA – A Canadian Forces member was killed by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device while transiting through Kabul as a passenger on an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) vehicle. The incident took place at approximately 11:30 a.m. (Kandahar time) on October 29, 2011. The incident has resulted in casualties to ISAF personnel.

Killed on operation was Master Corporal Byron Greff from the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, Alberta. He was serving as a mentor and trainer on Operation Attention, the Canadian Forces contribution to the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan. His role was to advise Afghan National Army trainers who provide recruit training to Afghan soldiers.

The Canadian Contribution to the Training Mission-Afghanistan (CCTM-A) includes more than 900 Canadian Forces men and women who, with some 4500 other partners from 33 other nations in NTM-A, are enabling the growth, professionalization, and capacity building of the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police.

At this sad time, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our fallen Canadian comrade. Our primary focus at this time is to provide the best possible support to Master Corporal Greff's family and his colleagues.

Master Corporal Greff, his teammates, and the contingent of more than 900 Canadians serving with him in and around Kabul are there to provide training, leader development and capacity building. By the end of 2014, this training to the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police will provide security for Afghans who will ultimately take on this responsibility on their own.

Master Corporal Greff is a great Canadian soldier who was serving selflessly toward this mission. His teammates, CCTM-A, and the Canadian Forces remain committed to this mission to achieve peace, stability and security by Afghans for Afghans.

-30-

From the Vancouver Sun:

An Edmonton-based soldier killed Saturday in a suicide attack — the first casualty in Afghanistan since the end of Canada’s combat mission in July — recently became a father, his family says.

[...]

Greff, who was in his mid- to late-20s, grew up in the Lacombe area north of Red Deer, Alta., where his parents still live, said his cousin, Brett. He had just become a father in the last few weeks, he said.

[...]

Col. Peter Dawe, deputy commander, Canadian Contribution Training Mission, said Greff’s role was to advise Afghan National Army trainers who provide recruit training to Afghan soldiers and was his second deployment to Afghanistan. In his spare time, he liked to hunt and play hockey, Dawe added.

“Master Cpl. Byron Greff was a hard-working infantry soldier, qualified paratrooper and member of the battalion’s reconnaissance platoon,” said Dawe. “To say that he was highly respected by his fellow soldiers would be an understatement.”

[...]

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay both issued statements Saturday, expressing condolences to Greff’s family and friends.

“Master Corporal Greff paid the ultimate price serving his country,” said Harper. “His life and death serves as an example of the bravery and outstanding dedication of Canadian Armed Forces members on this mission.”

Edmonton Journal and Postmedia News

(More here about the Canadian mission at the Sun)

From CBC:

[...]

Master Cpl. Byron Greff, the Edmonton-based soldier killed in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan Saturday, was remembered by his family as "amazing person, an amazing father and a wonderful husband."

"We want to stress how proud we are of him, of all that he has done," his family said in a written statement released Monday by the Canadian military. "There was never any doubt from us when he left on this most recent deployment. He was doing what he wanted to do and he was good at it.

"We will always remember his strong will, his love for his family and friends and the fact that he was arguably the best dad —ever."...

More here.



(here)

You're all our daughters and our sons
And you make us proud Canadians...

Hearts filled with sorrow and with pride
Respect and dedication
For our bravest ones...
Because you keep our true north strong and free
Now it's our turn to stand on guard for thee.

Rest in Peace, Master Corporal Greff..



[Added: BlackFive has a post up, about Master Corporal Greff coming home. Here]