Canadians killed in Afganistan

:( :( :(
This at CNN
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/central/04/18/afghanistan.canada/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/central/04/18/afghanistan.canada/index.html</a>

No comment.
:( :( :(

with all the high tech survalence and equipment and planes!

this was friendly fire!

this should not happen!

this was an accident.

very sad. :(

I understand this can happen in "war"

but it's insane,

because most casualties in conflicts likes these(ie; gulf war,somalia)are deaths not caused by the enemy! but by friendly fire and accidents!

sorry,but thats my thoughts on the matter.

I am not taking anything away from the extreme sadness and loss of the families of those soldiers.

my heart is heavy,and I wish them the best.

I heard about it on the way home form Home Depot, very sad.

At least it doesn't seem to be tarnishing the relationship between the US and Canada, it will be a very sad day when that happens..

I'm sure all our prayers are going out to the families and friends of those who were killed and/or injured. :(

I'm with you Crazyman It is indeed a sad day :(

my heart goes out to the families :(

This is just ridiculous. The Canadians are over there helping the U.S. fight this war on terrorism and then this stupid thing happens. I'm sure somebody will be hung out to dry on this one...
We love you guys. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and loved ones.

Speaking as a Canadian, I appreciate everybody's compassion. Especially to the families and loved ones of those affected... they are the ones truly suffering here.

But I do not believe there should be a huge witch-hunt or inquiry into this. The fact of the matter is, there is a war going on. People get killed in wars. And we are all human beings--we screw up.

It could just have easily been Americans accidentally killed by Canadians. Because that's what it was--an accident. Anybody who gets mad about nationality things here is losing sight of the fact that we are all on the same SIDE against the terrorists.

It is a sad fact that "Friendly fire" has been one of the costs of every major military action in history...

And the soldiers killed knew this risk when they joined the military...

But their deaths are not meaningless. They died doing their job. They died for their beliefs, for their country, for their families, and for the entire free world.

And I wish their spirits peace, wherever they are.

My sympathy goes to their families. This was an unfortunate tragedy. :(

[quote]Originally posted by Wayward Clam:
<strong>Speaking as a Canadian, I appreciate everybody's compassion. Especially to the families and loved ones of those affected... they are the ones truly suffering here.

But I do not believe there should be a huge witch-hunt or inquiry into this. The fact of the matter is, there is a war going on. People get killed in wars. And we are all human beings--we screw up.

It could just have easily been Americans accidentally killed by Canadians. Because that's what it was--an accident. Anybody who gets mad about nationality things here is losing sight of the fact that we are all on the same SIDE against the terrorists.

It is a sad fact that "Friendly fire" has been one of the costs of every major military action in history...

And the soldiers killed knew this risk when they joined the military...

But their deaths are not meaningless. They died doing their job. They died for their beliefs, for their country, for their families, and for the entire free world.

And I wish their spirits peace, wherever they are.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Very well put.

My condolences to the families

All I can say is my deepest sympathies are sent out to all closely affected by this terrible accident. :(

WC said it all.

My sympathies and prayers for those they left behind.

Just wish it wasn't necessary. :(

Any soldiers death is a sad thing. But it is somewhat comforting to know that this war is being fought in a cautious manner that will make friendly fire more of a killer than enemy action. Feel sort of guilty using that as rationalization.

Well said WC

As already mentioned, my prayers and condolences go to all of the families of these soldiers and to the families of all the soldiers that have given their lives during this war.

[quote]Originally posted by Wayward Clam:
<strong>Speaking as a Canadian, I appreciate everybody's compassion. Especially to the families and loved ones of those affected... they are the ones truly suffering here.

But I do not believe there should be a huge witch-hunt or inquiry into this. The fact of the matter is, there is a war going on. People get killed in wars. And we are all human beings--we screw up.

It could just have easily been Americans accidentally killed by Canadians. Because that's what it was--an accident. Anybody who gets mad about nationality things here is losing sight of the fact that we are all on the same SIDE against the terrorists.

It is a sad fact that "Friendly fire" has been one of the costs of every major military action in history...

And the soldiers killed knew this risk when they joined the military...

But their deaths are not meaningless. They died doing their job. They died for their beliefs, for their country, for their families, and for the entire free world.

And I wish their spirits peace, wherever they are.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I couldn't have said it better myself...

I am an American living in Canada. My VERY beautiful wife is canadian and all 3 of my kids were born in canada. When all of this started way back in sept. alot of nights were spent talking about the Canadian-American relationship during history. One of my favorite things is to get my wife all riled up about canadians being backwater bumpkins and having no "REAL" Army (all in fun, i love this country as much as the good ole USA, Faults and all). But when I read about this on CNN this morning I was in one of those "just shouldn't have happened" states. This is getting out hand, I find the US and it allies are trying to be to PC about this war and everyone is shooting Themselves in the foot instead of the enemy. How about that story of OSAMA supposedly being able to escape because the US let the Northen Alliance handle the Ground war. all to make the afghans feel like they weren't being conquered but a part of the war effort.

Sad.

This is a horrible tragedy.

But I can only be thankful that we accidently bombed Canadian troops. What other country in the world would take something like this purely as an accident? The UK? Australia? I think thats it.

Imagine what would have happened if we accidently bombed some Russian peacekeepers.... Or even some Chinese troops who might have been based near there.. all hell could have broken loose.

What 2 other countries in the world have not only shared a very large border between the two, but almost 200 years of peace, without the thought o a war between them? I can't think of any. There's a reason why the US and Canada share the world's largest undefended border.


In wars past, we've seen thousands dead. Most at the hands of the enemy, but I'm sure some were still by "friendly fire" and probably higher in numbers (and a lot easier to cover up).

Today, we are able to keep these losses to a minimum, from enemy and friendly fire.

[quote]Originally posted by Draggar:
<strong>This is a horrible tragedy.

But I can only be thankful that we accidently bombed Canadian troops...
</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yeah, lucky I guess.
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Not flaming, I understand your point.

Everybody understand it's an accident, including the family. I spoke yesterday with friends of the Montreal's CPL (I kinda know him) and although they are satisfied with the "accident" explanation, they also would like to know how such an accident can happen and what can be done to prevent it in the future.

So far, "friendly fire" as been mre effective than ennemy fire against our troops.
:( :( :(

[quote]Originally posted by Drone2903:
<strong>So far, "friendly fire" as been mre effective than ennemy fire against our troops.
:( :( :( </strong><hr></blockquote>

Not trying to make light of the situation, but casualties in war are down, significantly, due to high-tech wepaonry.

Hell, we can shoot a missle down a chimney, form an unmaned plane. We do everything we can do to reduce the number of casulaties.

It just comes to show, even from the gulf war, how well several countries can work together and eliminate a threat, with minimal loss to life on our side. Its sad that these accidents happen, but if thats the greatest loss of life, it shows that we were able to be an effective alliance together, able to cover each other's a$$es in times of need.

We've seen accidents happen over in Afganistan. A bomb, being dismantled, exploded, killing 4 Greek (I think ) solders. During a prison riot, the US dropped a bomb on our own troops, killing 2 or 3 US troops, and about 5 Pakistani troops. Some choppers went down, killing about 20 (?).

It just shows, even though accidents can happen, we avoided the possible thousands of casulaties on our side, like what happened in all previous wars (excluding the Gulf war).

But still, you're over there, it doesn't matter if you're in hand to hand against Bin Laden himself and get killed, or an accident like this happens, you still died defending your country and the free world. Thats enough to earn one of the highest points of honor in the world.+

[quote]Originally posted by Draggar:
<strong>

But still, you're over there, it doesn't matter if you're in hand to hand against Bin Laden himself and get killed, or an accident like this happens, you still died defending your country and the free world. Thats enough to earn one of the highest points of honor in the world.+</strong><hr></blockquote>


I think it does. Not from the honor point of view (all the alliance troops are heroes, as far as I'm concern), but from the military point that your ennemy is not the one inflicting the worst damage, your own friends are.

I can tell you first hand a lot of military personnel find that aspect of the war very disturbing.

Still, we would all be better off without war.
:(