Why?

[carly_kai]

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?

Comments

[jessie-c.livejournal.com]

Why? Because somebody has to stand up to the thugs who would trample all over people. It's a dirty, rotten, complicated, thankless job and it eats up heroes. But it's got to be done.

[emilydm.livejournal.com]

I have fond memories of working community theatre stage crew alongside Bombardier Myles Mansell, who was killed the same way these officers were. He was due to come home a few weeks later and marry his fiancee. It's hard to explain what it's like when it's someone you knew and spent time with, and you're hearing about it at the top of the noon news hour.

I felt really bad for a classmate whose website forum Myles posted on. A few months earlier he jokingly advised Myles "we want you back in one piece, buddy, don't go getting yourself blown up or anything".

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

I'm a barracks town girl born and bred and I understand exactly where you're coming from!