A soldier returns home

News

Posted 1 month ago

Statement by the MP

Peter Van Loan, Member of Parliament for York Simcoe, issued the following statement: "On behalf of the residents of York-Simcoe and of all Canadians, I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Sapper Brian Collier, who died while conducting a patrol in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

"The Government of Canada and all Canadians are proud of our men and women of the Canadian Forces. Our community greatly mourns the loss of Sapper Collier. This brave young man will not be forgotten."

-The Hon. Peter Van Loan, MP

An emotional experience

My deepest thanks to everyone involved in the repatriation of Sapper Brian Collier on July 23.

I was honoured to be part of the procession, and it was the most deeply emotional experience of my life.

Jim, Carol and the girls expressed their appreciation for all of the support they are receiving from the Town.

On Friday, approximately 70 friends and family members made the trip to Trenton. We were met by dozens of senior military officials, including General Walt Natynczyk, Senator Pamela Wallin (representing Defence Minister Peter MacKay), and Afghanistan's Ambassador to Canada. We stood on the tarmac as Brian was taken from the plane and carried to the hearse. The family and guests then lined up behind Brian, to place flowers on the coffin.

Shortly thereafter, the procession left Trenton Air Force Base where thousands of people lined the gates and the roads out of town. Every bridge along the 401 had citizens waving flags and saluting this Canadian hero. By far, the largest group was at Victoria Park, where the pumper truck and yellow school buses could be seen from hundreds of metres away. As we approached the bridge, it was an awesome site to see all the flags, BWG banners and the hundreds of our folks saluting.

The procession continued downtown, where every street was closed by Toronto police. Brian was taken to the morgue, and the motorcade departed for BWG, again led by police escort.

It was a day of mixed emotions, enormous pride in this young man, and the way he was honoured by thousands of fellow Canadians mixed with the overwhelming sadness of his loss. Respectfully yours,

-Doug White, BWG Mayor

Reflections on a soldier

My heart was saddened on Tuesday, when I heard about the death of another Canadian soldier – and saddened even more when I learned his identity.

Our family knew Brian Collier, as he had worked with us prior to joining the Military Service. It was while working with us that he decided he wanted to do something with his life, and enlisted.

Some question why our country is over there, in a land where people place no value on life, or have any respect for another human being – why not let them kill each other, if they so desire, and leave our soldiers to defend our own country?

In our modern age, with instant communication, the world has become a smaller place. We can be in any part of the world within 24 hours, and with Google Earth, can see any part of the earth with a touch of a button on our computer screens.

Seventy years ago, our world seemed a lot larger place, yet when war broke out, our Canadian soldiers went over to fight for a country that they did not know, to protect the people and prevent a maniac from taking over the world. They went because they knew they had a duty to stand up for the rights and freedom of every human being. And so they went, perhaps unafraid, perhaps knowing full well that they would not all come back, but still they went.

I was born shortly after the war ended. Had it not been for these men coming to risk their lives for a country that they knew very little about, I might not have been born. But they came, and when they left, we were a country where freedom and liberty prevailed.

So it becomes obvious why we are in Afghanistan: because we are a nation that believes in freedom, in liberty and has a respect for all human beings, whether in this country or in another country – and we will do our utmost to help our fellow human beings, regardless of race, religion or creed, to achieve that goal and protect them from oppression.

Brian did not die in vain. He died serving the less fortunate so that they may enjoy the same freedom we take for granted.

I can't imaging the grief that Brian's parents and siblings must feel, but they should be extremely proud that their son gave his life so the world could be a better place. I will always be grateful that there are people who would lay down their life for me.

Thank you, Brian. Because of you, I am.

-Frank Jonkman Sr.

At the overpass

My daughters and I, and a friend, took the bus from the Bradford Community Centre to the Victoria Park Overpass, and it was a true experience. Very sad and humbling. It's something that I hope we will never have to do again for any Canadian soldier.

There were carloads of Brian's friends at the bridge. I met one high school friend who came in from Burlington and one from Windsor. Needless to say, there were a lot of tears.

I also met a woman whose brother had been killed in action in January 2010. She travelled this road on a cold January day and was stunned by the reaction of perfect strangers. There are some 50 bridges along the route, and on each bridge there were flags waving and lots of people cheering, clapping, or standing silently and saluting. Her family was in awe during their trip.

She stated that the whole concept of the Highway of Heroes has helped in the grieving process, for her and her family. She now never misses the chance to stand and salute a fallen soldier, and that was why she was at the bridge.

When the motorcade drove past, the bridge was fully packed, and the people were 5 deep. Absolutely amazing!

- Michelle Ormerod, Bradford

The last word

"He died doing what he loved. What else can you say, other than Thank You."

- Lieut. Karen Kolinko, Army Cadets.