OTTAWA – Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, issued the following statement today to mark the end of our country’s military mission in Afghanistan.
“On this our National Day of Honor, His Excellency, the Right Honorable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, issued a proclamation designating this day as an opportunity to celebrate the strength and resolve of our men and women in uniform, their families and the many communities they call home. It also recognizes the contributions of our Canadian law enforcement and employees of the Public Service of Canada who served in Afghanistan.
It is an occasion to pay tribute to the fallen, the sacrifices of the wounded and celebrate the strength of our country’s remarkable military families. Today we commemorate the end of a generational mission that affected almost every community in Canada. In our own riding many played a crucial role including the Rocky Mountain Rangers and members of the Canadian Forces including Master Corporal Erin Doyle of Kamloops who lost his life in Afghanistan in 2008. These heroes deserve our unwavering support and everlasting respect.
Their accomplishments during the 12 year mission were profound: terrorist sanctuaries were destroyed, critical infrastructure was constructed, the Afghan security forces were trained to defend their country, schools were built to allow more children access to education and most significantly over 2.5 million girls are now attending school where in 2001 none had that option. Those who served this mission demonstrated time and again the ingenuity and determination that define our nation. We will be forever proud and grateful.”
