The war in Afghanistan has hit many different communities hard across Canada.
On Monday it hit home here in Clarington when Trooper Darryl Caswell was killed by a roadside bomb. He became Canada’s fifty-seventh soldier killed in action.
Trooper Caswell, who hailed from Bowmanville and spent some time in Whitby growing up, was a mere six weeks away from coming home. His tour of duty was to be complete on July 31, his birthday.
A member of the Royal Canadian Dragoons based out of CFB Petawawa, Trooper Caswell died on his little brother’s twelfth birthday. Logan Caswell said he was an incredible brother. “He always looked out for me.”
Indeed, Trooper Caswell was looking out for all Canadians which is why the death of such a fine solider and proud Canadian, is so painful.
The Canadian men and women serving in Afghanistan are attempting to bring peace and order to a country that has had little of it since the Taliban got a foothold in Afghanistan. The Taliban refuse to surrender and continue to plant the roadside bombs taking a toll on our soldiers.
Trooper Caswell was known as a hardworking soldier who would not only finish his own work but volunteer for extra work. He was also quite a character who would occasionally sport a Velcro patch that reads ‘61 Delta Ghostrider’. He was also known for his gnome painted with combat fatigues that he would fasten to his LAV-25 when on patrol. These were just two of the qualities that endeared him to his comrades, family and friends.
When on leave earlier this year in Australia his mother asked him if he came back to Canada would he ever consider not going back to Afghanistan. She was not surprised when he said no. He had a job to finish and his guys were still back there.
Canada still has a job to do in Afghanistan and it is a testament to our soldiers who continue to battle in such extreme conditions. Trooper Caswell’s death is a true blow to his fellow soldiers, crushing for family and friends but it was not in vain. He is a true Canadian hero who served his country with honour.
-- Metroland Durham Region Media Group
Recommend :
More Editorials
Deficit-free plan offers real leadership for CanadiansCome rain, come sleet, come hail or recession, no deficit shall we run, says our finance minister. That was the message presented by Jim Flaherty in the House of Commons ...
Reaching out to Ajacians a laudable goalAjax Council is making out-reach to its citizens a more important part of its strategic plan, a move we heartily endorse. It's hard to believe that half of the current ...
Region sets clear direction for recyclingThe Region of Durham wants to have a clear look at what residents are, or are not, sending to landfill disposal. A pilot project will take place in about 750 households in ...
Oshawa EI numbers frighteningMerry Christmas. Statistics Canada has confirmed what we already knew: staggering amounts of people in Oshawa are unemployed. Only StatsCan has shown us the numbers and ...
Don't drink and driveThe annual Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign is on and one week in, the numbers are not encouraging. Twelve people were charged with drunk driving by ...
Now is no time to spend money buying buildingsLast week much discussion took place at Clarington council regarding the Total Hockey experiment that was put in place by the previous municipal council. As many may recall, ...
Need a doctor? Fourteen physicians are looking for patientsAt first blush, the statement seems paradoxical -- Oshawa is short at least 28 physicians but there are 14 doctors looking for new patients. The question comes to mind, if ...
Pickering, Ajax councillors right to question Metrolinx planAjax and Pickering councils have some legitimate concerns about the 25-year Metrolinx plan, concerns that must be taken into account and addressed. Released recently by ...
Give as generously as you can this Christmas seasonAmid all the grim news about layoffs and tough times in our economic outlook comes the realization that for some, this will be a truly difficult Christmas. Those among us who ...
Tough laws meant to keep young drivers saferA tough new bill just introduced in the Ontario legislature has the express goal of making it safer out there for our young drivers. It follows up on the graduated licensing ...