EvanL
02-20-2005, 03:39 PM
Edmonton-based troops helped Kabul rebuild infrastructure
By SHANE HOLLADAY, EDMONTON SUN
The commander of the last Edmonton-based troops to arrive home from Afghanistan said his soldiers made it possible for the people there to start putting war behind them. The final 140 soldiers from Land Force Western Area landed last night at the Edmonton International Airport after a six-month tour as part of Operation Athena.
"They kept Kabul, and the region around Kabul, secure in a way that allowed people to start to create normal lives, to start to build houses and invest in their future," said Brig.-Gen. Stu Beare.
"The bottom line, people are making buildings. People are building roads, people are putting in electricity in a country that had none of that during the Taliban era.
"What does that mean? That people have hope, so there's been a huge difference."
The soldiers were the last of 700 Edmonton-based troops who left Kabul on Feb. 11. They were replaced by troops from Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.
Lieut. Claire Bramma said, as a military engineer, she felt a special sense of pride for clearing unexploded ordinance and mines and returning the countryside to the people.
"They were very thankful we were able to take care of that," she said.
"In the city, we were very welcome, and there was a lot of support from the government to be there."
Maj. Annette Snow, a medic, said she was returning last night from her third tour of duty. She wasn't on the front lines, but she saw that the Canadians made a difference, she said.
"Even from the background perspective, there was incredible changes in Kabul while we were there," Snow said.
"Just driving down the street, the number of new buildings and shops going up, fewer women wearing burkas."
Canadian soldiers ensured safe and secure elections in the country's first-ever presidential run-off in October. That in turn led to more stability for ordinary people, she said.
"Our presence was very much appreciated," Snow said.
She also said it was a treat to meet Mayor Stephen Mandel, who made a trip to the Edmonton International Airport to greet the troops as they stepped off the plane.
"He's a charming gentleman," Snow said.
"This is absolutely fantastic that the mayor would come out to greet us, that they would lay out Tim Hortons coffee.
"It's wonderful. I've finished tours before where I got off the plane and straggled on out and nobody was really there to say hello when we got back."
Mandel said he was honoured to greet the troops.
"They're great young men and women," he said.
"It's important we recognize the contribution that these guys have done. They've helped maintain peace, order and good government in Afghanistan."
By SHANE HOLLADAY, EDMONTON SUN
The commander of the last Edmonton-based troops to arrive home from Afghanistan said his soldiers made it possible for the people there to start putting war behind them. The final 140 soldiers from Land Force Western Area landed last night at the Edmonton International Airport after a six-month tour as part of Operation Athena.
"They kept Kabul, and the region around Kabul, secure in a way that allowed people to start to create normal lives, to start to build houses and invest in their future," said Brig.-Gen. Stu Beare.
"The bottom line, people are making buildings. People are building roads, people are putting in electricity in a country that had none of that during the Taliban era.
"What does that mean? That people have hope, so there's been a huge difference."
The soldiers were the last of 700 Edmonton-based troops who left Kabul on Feb. 11. They were replaced by troops from Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.
Lieut. Claire Bramma said, as a military engineer, she felt a special sense of pride for clearing unexploded ordinance and mines and returning the countryside to the people.
"They were very thankful we were able to take care of that," she said.
"In the city, we were very welcome, and there was a lot of support from the government to be there."
Maj. Annette Snow, a medic, said she was returning last night from her third tour of duty. She wasn't on the front lines, but she saw that the Canadians made a difference, she said.
"Even from the background perspective, there was incredible changes in Kabul while we were there," Snow said.
"Just driving down the street, the number of new buildings and shops going up, fewer women wearing burkas."
Canadian soldiers ensured safe and secure elections in the country's first-ever presidential run-off in October. That in turn led to more stability for ordinary people, she said.
"Our presence was very much appreciated," Snow said.
She also said it was a treat to meet Mayor Stephen Mandel, who made a trip to the Edmonton International Airport to greet the troops as they stepped off the plane.
"He's a charming gentleman," Snow said.
"This is absolutely fantastic that the mayor would come out to greet us, that they would lay out Tim Hortons coffee.
"It's wonderful. I've finished tours before where I got off the plane and straggled on out and nobody was really there to say hello when we got back."
Mandel said he was honoured to greet the troops.
"They're great young men and women," he said.
"It's important we recognize the contribution that these guys have done. They've helped maintain peace, order and good government in Afghanistan."