Afghan memorial to tour Canada, U.S.
Plaques honour 201 people who died in war
OTTAWA — A memorial to Canadians killed during the decade-long war in Afghanistan will spend the summer on Parliament Hill before being transported on a two-year journey across the country and into the United States.
The ‘Afghanistan Memorial Vigil’ is composed of individual black granite plaques honouring 158 Canadian Forces members, 40 U.S. troops operating under Canadian command, Canadian diplomat Glyn Berry, journalist Michelle Lang from the Calgary Herald and a civilian contractor.
The memorial — each plaque is etched with the face of the victim and basic biographical details — was mounted on a cenotaph at Kandahar Airfield and brought to Canada when this country’s fighting mission ended there in 2011.
After its planned two-year, 16-city journey ends in Washington D.C., the memorial will return to Ottawa, where the panels will be displayed permanently on a cenotaph at a location yet to be decided.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay told reporters at the media event opening the memorial Tuesday that the summer-long display on Parliament Hill is intended to capitalize on tourist traffic.
“The intent is to give Canadians greater access to the story of Afghanistan,” he said.
“(It) tells an important story and takes Canadians on an important journey of understanding and appreciation.”
Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan and its role in building infrastructure and helping to train 300,000 soldiers and police has given Afghans a good chance of achieving peace and security, said MacKay.
But he admitted there were no guarantees.
“I believe we have made enormous contributions and an enormous difference in the lives of Afghans,” he said. “The change is undeniable. Will it last? That’s a more difficult question to gauge. Until the Taliban renounce the violence and until they agree that there was a legitimate elected government in their country, these peace talks are going to be very difficult to achieve lasting results.”
MacKay said the memorial will provide a focal point where “members of the public will have the opportunity to stand together in vigil for those who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan.
“This memorial is an expression of Canada’s gratitude to those who fought against terrorism to defend global peace and security,” he added.
“It embodies the eternal bond that our nation now shares with the people of Afghanistan and it reflects the shared sacrifices made by Canada and our American neighbour as we fought to defend a common cause.”
Almost 40,000 Canadians have been part of the Afghanistan mission since it began and 900 troops and support personnel remain there as part of a training mission due to end in March.
When the training mission ends, Canadian forces will have been in Afghanistan for about the same length of time Canadians fought in the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War combined.