Why?

There was yet another repatriation ceremony today as Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown, Corporal Dany Olivier Fortin and Corporal Kenneth Chad O’Quinn return to Canada. The three were killed in Afghanistan’s Arghandab district when an improvised explosive device detonated near their armoured vehicle during a patrol.


Each of these ceremonies is gut wrenching to watch and I honestly do not know how many more I can bear to watch. I cry at each of them as I try to answer the same question that haunts me - why?

There is no clear answer.

I attend as it is my duty and privilege to do so. The temporary discomfort that I bear as a result of rain, the wind, blazing heat or bitter cold are insignificant compared to the suffering that the family and loved ones undergo as they wait, and then the wave of anguish and anger that are invoked by the sight of the flag wrapped coffin.

What do you tell a mother, a lover, a wife, sister, daughter, brother or son?

There is no clear answer, only stock press releases and politicians that stand briefly until they return to the comforts of the military Challenger jet. How I wish that they had the simple honesty of the thousands of people who stand along the highway and an overpasses as they as individuals and communities pay their respects to the fallen.

I can’t take this much more and I want it to stop - not for me but so there are no more tears as people ask why?