Defending Canada's Afghan Mission

Sincere though they may be, those who think our soldiers should not be wasted in Afghanistan could learn much from the parents of soldiers who are killed there. Incredible is the pride and support shown by those families and their moral courage in the face of tragedy.

Sincere though they may be, those who think our soldiers should not be wasted in Afghanistan could learn from the parents and friends of soldiers who are killed there.

Incredible, to some, is the pride and support shown by families of soldiers killed – and their moral courage in the face of the greatest tragedy in their lives.

The family of Pte. Kevin McKay, 24, of the Princess Pats is a case in point – the 144th Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan, just a couple of days short of his tour ending and his return home.

It would seem that Pte. McKay did one extra foot patrol, and fell victim to an IED - the curiously named improvised explosive device that has claimed half the soldiers killed.

McKay’s family lives at Barrie’s Horseshoe Valley. His father, Fred, is a Toronto fire captain, from whom his son evidently got his values, patriotism, his sense of purpose.

Amid the family’s grief, Fred McKay could put his son’s death in perspective. “I think every soldier there and the ones going in the next battle group would say ‘leave them there until the job is done,’” he told the Sun’s Don Peat.

“You cannot give a date to withdraw troops, it has to be based on objectives. If they haven’t completed the task . . . support them 150% so they have the resources to get the job done. Then bring them home.”

That’s a pretty mature attitude, and one our political leaders (in all parties) could well consider as they bicker to make points from what’s going on in Afghanistan.

Here’s Fred McKay, who has suffered an unimaginable loss – as have 143 other Canadian families – recognizing that broadcasting a time-table for withdrawing troops further endangers those troops, and encourages an already fanatic enemy.

As a firefighter, he’s in one of those jobs that can be dangerous, demands dedication and serves a public that is not always appreciative of such efforts. Like police and soldiers, firefighters risk their lives in the cause of others.

When soldiers die in Afghanistan it’s normal for comrades and commanders to praise and grieve.

Regiments are also family. Still, it’s powerful and persuasive when families at home stand tall for their sons who are killed, and urge the government to show the courage and support that Canada gets from its soldiers.

It was Christie Blatchford who pointed out that the Canadian Press and Toronto Star mis-reported a 2006 board of inquiry by claiming Canadian troops knew Afghan authorities routinely beat and abused captives. The report said it was the civilians that were being beaten on the streets, not prisoners.

CP subsequently corrected it’s error, but the stigma has prevailed. As it turned out, that inquiry made it clear that Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan have been scrupulous about not abusing prisoners, and have tried to ensure prisoners are not abused.

Afghanistan is not Somalia, but what Afghanis do to one another, is not in the Canadians’ mandate to challenge or change.

Fred and Beth McKay and their other son Riley are understandably and justifiably proud of Kevin and the cause for which he gave his life. Canada, too, should be proud - not only of Pte. McKay, but of people like his family, and the families of others, who endure their loss without losing their faith and belief in what their fallen sons died for.