A tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives during Canada’s mission in Afghanistan has stopped in the Maritimes as part of a cross-country tour.
The Afghanistan Memorial Vigil used to stand in Kandahar. It began as a few plaques but quickly grew as Canadian losses mounted. It now honours 158 fallen soldiers.
About 100 dignitaries, veterans of the Afghan mission, and families of the fallen soldiers attended a ceremony Wednesday to mark the arrival of the Afghanistan Memorial Vigil in Fredericton.
“The soldiers here today were hand-picked and they all served in Afghanistan. They're extraordinary people,” said Brigadier-General Nicolas Eldaoud.
The parents of Cpl. Christopher Stannix, a Halifax-area soldier who died in Afghanistan in April 2007, were among those in attendance.
“I think over time, when I first saw it, it was so emotional, but now I think over the years it's just come to represent that people haven't forgotten, that they still appreciate the sacrifice,” said Stannix’s mother Kate.
Megan and Victoria Kruse were just six years old when their father was killed in December 2008. They said the memorial has helped them understand more about his sacrifice.
“I think there was these guys that came to our house and they told us and there was, like, it was really emotional and sad, but at first I didn't know what was going on,” said Victoria.
“Yeah, cause we were only six, so we didn't really understand,” said Megan.
Sgt. Chris Harding said he hopes those who visit the memorial will think of those lost.
“There were sacrifices, there was loss, and to respect our buddies who fell,” he said.
The memorial will be open to the public Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Fredericton, before moving on to Charlottetown and Halifax.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Andy Campbell
