BELOW IS A STATEMENT FROM BAY OF QUINTE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT CHRIS MALETTE FOLLOWING U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S COMMENTS DOWNPLAYING SUPPORT FROM NATO TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN
No one should ever question our commitment to bravery and sacrifice.
Canada’s 13-year mission in Afghanistan (2001–2014), undertaken in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, was the longest combat deployment in our nation’s history. More than 40,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces served. A total of 158 Canadian soldiers and seven civilians lost their lives.
Thousands more returned home bearing the lasting costs of service. Over 2,000 Canadian soldiers were physically wounded, including hundreds wounded in action and many others injured in non-battle incidents. The psychological toll has been profound: by 2020, approximately 17 per cent of those who served in Afghanistan had received a pension or disability award for post-traumatic stress disorder. Tragically, the burden of service also led to loss of life after deployment, with more than 70 Afghanistan veterans having died by suicide as of 2017.
Here in Quinte West, we proudly recognize this legacy of service and sacrifice through the Afghanistan Repatriation Memorial, a solemn place of reflection and remembrance. Our community is also home to the beginning of the Highway of Heroes, which stretches to Toronto – a living symbol of national gratitude that honours those who made the ultimate sacrifice and reminds us of the deep respect Canadians hold for our fallen and for all who have served.
We will never forget the sacrifices made by our men and women who served under the Maple Leaf in support of our NATO and United Nations allies. To diminish or question those sacrifices is nothing short of a disgrace and a crime perpetrated on their memory, valour and service. Despite what some ungrateful and woefully unaware or ignorant individuals may say about that sacrifice – we honour our service members.
We know them. We see them. They are our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends, and neighbours. Here in the Bay of Quinte, we honour them and remember them – not just in words, but in enduring respect and gratitude, every day.
