In recognition of the upcoming National Day of Honour on May 9, 2014 for those who served our country in Afghanistan, I have put together an album of my personal memories of the mission. Since being elected in 2006, I have had the privilege of travelling to Afghanistan seven times. For five of those occasions, it was to spend Christmas with the Canadian Armed Forces members, soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen deployed there. The other two times were with the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan the Standing Committee on National Defence. My time in Afghanistan with the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces will rank among my best memories of my time in Parliament. They are truly outstanding representatives for our country and I am a better person for having spent time in their company, in Afghanistan.
Defence Committee meeting with council of Kandahar provincial leaders. Amad Wali Karzai at right.
Defence Committee at Canada House at Kandahar Airfield.
Arriving in Kandahar with MND Peter MacKay and CDS General Walt Natynczyk.
Addressing the troops at a Forward Operating Base (FOB).
With Rick Mercer at a FOB.
Ready to board helicopters at KAF with entertainers.
Delivering Edmonton school children’s letters to Lord Strathcona’s Horse leadership at Mas ‘um Ghar.
Colleague Jay Hill and I serving Christmas dinner at a remote location in the Panjwai.
Looking for the cockpit on one of our new drones.
Kids all over the world understand a high-five.
Jay Hill and I with our personal security detail. The guy had worked for me in Cold Lake.
One of our personal security detail in less threatening dress.
One of my Edmonton constituents who was manning Tim Hortons in Kandahar.
With Peter MacKay, General Rick Hillier, U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins and U.S. soldier in shelter during a rocket attack warning at Kandahar.
With three Afghan soldiers sporting their Vancouver 2010 Olympic mitts.
With three courageous Afghan Members of Parliament.
With Peter MacKay, General Natynczyk and Toryalai Wesa, Afghan-Canadian and brand new Governor of Kandahar Province in 2009.
Speaking with two leaders of Kandahar Province.
With Peter MacKay and Afghan soldier.
With General Natynczyk, Minister of Sport Gary Lunn and some troops.
One example of why we were in Afghanistan. I’d have adopted her in a heartbeat.
