Michael Dorosh
Army.ca Veteran
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http://www.globeandmail.ca/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031002.wafgh1002/BNStory/Front/
Sgt. Short, M/ Cpl Beerenfenger Killed in Afghanistan- Oct/ 2/ 2003
- Thread starter Michael Dorosh
- Start date
My Condolences go out to the familys of those brave troops killed and wounded today. Know that the prayers of the Service Community in Fort Mac are with them...
However!
God ****it this would not have happened if they Government had adequately armoured jeeps.
My Tub has more metal than those cans
Carry On
However!
God ****it this would not have happened if they Government had adequately armoured jeeps.
My Tub has more metal than those cans
Carry On
N
nhb388
Guest
Condolences to the freinds and family of the soldiers killed and wounded today in Afghanistan. 
D
dalredane
Guest
They made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and the people of Afghanistan whom they are helping.
It is a sad day when our soldiers are sent into harm‘s way with ineffective equipment.
I noticed the governement is already in full damage control mode over the "robustness" of the Iltis. Looks like the replacements will be no better in terms of armour and protection.
Shame on the government. Navy gets new frigates...and our soldiers are driving around in stock jeeps from Volkswagen.
It is a sad day when our soldiers are sent into harm‘s way with ineffective equipment.
I noticed the governement is already in full damage control mode over the "robustness" of the Iltis. Looks like the replacements will be no better in terms of armour and protection.
Shame on the government. Navy gets new frigates...and our soldiers are driving around in stock jeeps from Volkswagen.
When the Americans in Iraq get their Hummvies blown apart by improvised explosives or land mines, nobody is blaming the US government....from what I understand (admittedly from the media) they NEED light skinned vehicles to do their mission. I‘d heard that the precautions taken beforehand were adequate to protect against anti-personnel mines (correct me if I‘m wrong). I‘m sure if there was a light skinned vehicle which could withstand an anti-tank mine, the troops would have it.
Tragic thought it may be, why isn‘t anyone blaming their untimely deaths on the difficult nature of the mission?
Tragic thought it may be, why isn‘t anyone blaming their untimely deaths on the difficult nature of the mission?
D
Duotone81
Guest
Sincere condolences to those who gave their lives trying to restore order and peace for the unfortunate. God bless them and their families.
Bzzliteyr
Army.ca Veteran
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What this country need is a little more pride in our forces..
I send out this challenge to all of you on this forum that read this: Go out and buy a flag with pole at Canadian tire (or anywhere) and fly it proudly on your home!! If you can, put it at half mast till our troops are repatriated to Canada and have been given a proper funeral! BE PROUD TO BE CANADIAN!! Pass this message on to everyone you know..please.
I send out this challenge to all of you on this forum that read this: Go out and buy a flag with pole at Canadian tire (or anywhere) and fly it proudly on your home!! If you can, put it at half mast till our troops are repatriated to Canada and have been given a proper funeral! BE PROUD TO BE CANADIAN!! Pass this message on to everyone you know..please.
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http://www.mytelus.com/news/article.do?pageID=news_home&articleID=1425893
Canadian troops in Kabul bid farewell to fallen comrades
KABUL (CP) - Rock-hard Canadian paratroopers and mechanized infantry soldiers shed tears of sorrow Saturday as they bade farewell during an emotional memorial service for two comrades killed in an explosion.
A German transport plane carried the bodies, accompanied by six of their closest friends to Cologne, Germany, where a Canadian aircraft would take them on their journey home.
Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson planned to attend the arrival of the plane in Germany, a spokeswoman for her office in Ottawa said Saturday. She was interrupting a circumpolar trip to Norway, Iceland and Russia.
Para Sgt. Robert Short of Fredericton and Master Cpl. Robbie Beerenfenger of Ottawa "represented the best amongst us and paid the ultimate price in defence of the good people of Kabul and Afghanistan, who need our help," the top Canadian soldier in Afghanistan, Maj.-Gen. Andrew Leslie, told the troops.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and comrades, including all of you, of these two outstanding soldiers."
Short, 42, and Beerenfenger, 29, were killed Thursday when their Iltis jeep struck a munition in a dry creekbed, blowing it beyond recognition.
The bodies of Short and Beerenfenger were to arrive in Trenton, Ont., Sunday, where the soldiers were to be honoured by Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Defence Minister John McCallum, Chief of Defence Raymond Henault and other dignitaries.
Three soldiers were injured in the explosion. The most seriously wounded, Cpl. Thomas Stirling of Assiniboia, Sask., was sent to Germany aboard an aircraft earlier Saturday. He is to return home for further treatment of third-degree burns to his hands.
The emotional service at the main Canadian camp in southwest Kabul was punctuated by tributes to the two - Short, a father of two, and Beerenfenger, a father of three.
"We all understand the mission that we are undertaking, which requires some sacrifices," said Chaplain Mario Saulnier of Tracadie-Sheila, N.B. "Even the sacrifice of our own lives.
"The reality is that there will be no peace in our world unless we persevere and ensure that things change. Canadians can make a difference by what we believe and also for what we are ready to fight for."
Lt.-Col. Don Denne, commander of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment battle group, faltered during his tribute to the fallen soldiers.
He said Short, who would have been his next master sniper, was devoted, full of promise and brilliant as a section commander.
He said Short died doing what he did best - "leading a patrol of men on an overseas operational mission in a dangerous environment, and all for the betterment of someone else, someone he didn‘t even know."
"We just lost two great soldiers," he said.
Sgt. Rick Yuskiw of Sault Ste-Marie, Ont., said Short, a die-hard Toronto Maple Leafs fan, was like a brother to him.
"He was a leader; he was a dedicated soldier and a dedicated family man," said Yuskiw (pronounced YOO-skee). "He always looked after the needs of the others and put others‘ needs before his own."
One of his last acts before leaving camp on Thursday‘s ill-fated patrol was to try to secure tentage for a large nomad family living just up the track from where he died.
"Sgt. Short‘s light-hearted and good nature was infectious," said Yuskiw. "You couldn‘t help but smile being around Sgt. Short; he didn‘t have a mean bone in his body or a bad word to say about one person.
"He loved life. He loved his family. He lived hard, loved hard and died way too young."
Sgt. John McIntyre said he‘d only known Short since 2000, just before they deployed together to Bosnia, but he said it felt like they‘d known each other their whole lives.
"Rob was like that," he said. "Once you make his acquaintance, he gave all to you. If he saw you down, he‘d come over and talk to you."
McIntyre said serving under the paratroopers‘ maroon beret was the pinnacle of Short‘s career. Short had served years as a light engineer, known as a pioneer.
"It wasn‘t the colour of the beret; it was the men he felt privileged to serve with," said McIntyre. "Do not remember Rob for the way he was killed; remember Rob for the way he lived."
Beerenfenger was seconded to Para Company from 1RCR, a mechanized unit, and quickly made an impression on his new colleagues.
Cpl. Ricardo Taylor of North York, Ont., was one of his closest friends in the unit. He said Beerenfenger collected nicknames - Bear, B12 - and Taylor made it his job to find the right one. He ended up with Butters.
"I‘d say to him: ‘Nobody better not mess with my Butterfinger.‘ "
He and Beerenfenger were both quiet men, which set them apart in the gung- ho world of paratroopers. They passed the time watching movies together and telling stories - Beerenfenger described fishing and skateboarding with his sons. He‘d show Taylor pictures of his children and always told Taylor he should start a family.
"Boy, did he want to be a para," said Taylor. "He was hoping that after the tour we‘d keep him in Para Company and he could go on a jump course."
He even signed on to one and, anxious to make an impression and make the grade, he began running and working out.
"Rob was a very dependable soldier," said Taylor. "He wouldn‘t hesitate to do you a favour. He did what he was told without question or complaint. He definitely had the para attitude."
Said Cpl. Tim Fowler of St. Anthony, Nfld.: "Rob‘s strong personality and determination came out whenever he was challenged. No matter how big a job was or how big a guy was, he would not back down from anything."
The two used to have a "few drinks" together on Friday nights. On Saturday mornings, Fowler would drop his friend off at his grandparents‘ house "with a head like a 10-pound Smartie."
"Rob loved being a soldier and will always be remembered as a hard- charger."
Troops from the 31-nation International Security Assistance Force lined the tarmac at Kabul International Airport for the sendoff, including Gurkhas from Nepal. Pipers played Amazing Grace.
A French contingent in kepi hats sang a funeral dirge as they marched, le chant de la division marocaine, the song of the defunct French Morroccan Division.
Said Taylor: "You‘re on your way home now, Little Brother. Gentle winds and soft landings."
I‘m at a loss for word‘s as this is the second big hit for the Short familiy I believe, as his sister a Sapper with 2 C.E.R. was killed in a driver training Ex. last year.
No one deserve‘s this bad luck.
Canadian troops in Kabul bid farewell to fallen comrades
KABUL (CP) - Rock-hard Canadian paratroopers and mechanized infantry soldiers shed tears of sorrow Saturday as they bade farewell during an emotional memorial service for two comrades killed in an explosion.
A German transport plane carried the bodies, accompanied by six of their closest friends to Cologne, Germany, where a Canadian aircraft would take them on their journey home.
Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson planned to attend the arrival of the plane in Germany, a spokeswoman for her office in Ottawa said Saturday. She was interrupting a circumpolar trip to Norway, Iceland and Russia.
Para Sgt. Robert Short of Fredericton and Master Cpl. Robbie Beerenfenger of Ottawa "represented the best amongst us and paid the ultimate price in defence of the good people of Kabul and Afghanistan, who need our help," the top Canadian soldier in Afghanistan, Maj.-Gen. Andrew Leslie, told the troops.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and comrades, including all of you, of these two outstanding soldiers."
Short, 42, and Beerenfenger, 29, were killed Thursday when their Iltis jeep struck a munition in a dry creekbed, blowing it beyond recognition.
The bodies of Short and Beerenfenger were to arrive in Trenton, Ont., Sunday, where the soldiers were to be honoured by Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Defence Minister John McCallum, Chief of Defence Raymond Henault and other dignitaries.
Three soldiers were injured in the explosion. The most seriously wounded, Cpl. Thomas Stirling of Assiniboia, Sask., was sent to Germany aboard an aircraft earlier Saturday. He is to return home for further treatment of third-degree burns to his hands.
The emotional service at the main Canadian camp in southwest Kabul was punctuated by tributes to the two - Short, a father of two, and Beerenfenger, a father of three.
"We all understand the mission that we are undertaking, which requires some sacrifices," said Chaplain Mario Saulnier of Tracadie-Sheila, N.B. "Even the sacrifice of our own lives.
"The reality is that there will be no peace in our world unless we persevere and ensure that things change. Canadians can make a difference by what we believe and also for what we are ready to fight for."
Lt.-Col. Don Denne, commander of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment battle group, faltered during his tribute to the fallen soldiers.
He said Short, who would have been his next master sniper, was devoted, full of promise and brilliant as a section commander.
He said Short died doing what he did best - "leading a patrol of men on an overseas operational mission in a dangerous environment, and all for the betterment of someone else, someone he didn‘t even know."
"We just lost two great soldiers," he said.
Sgt. Rick Yuskiw of Sault Ste-Marie, Ont., said Short, a die-hard Toronto Maple Leafs fan, was like a brother to him.
"He was a leader; he was a dedicated soldier and a dedicated family man," said Yuskiw (pronounced YOO-skee). "He always looked after the needs of the others and put others‘ needs before his own."
One of his last acts before leaving camp on Thursday‘s ill-fated patrol was to try to secure tentage for a large nomad family living just up the track from where he died.
"Sgt. Short‘s light-hearted and good nature was infectious," said Yuskiw. "You couldn‘t help but smile being around Sgt. Short; he didn‘t have a mean bone in his body or a bad word to say about one person.
"He loved life. He loved his family. He lived hard, loved hard and died way too young."
Sgt. John McIntyre said he‘d only known Short since 2000, just before they deployed together to Bosnia, but he said it felt like they‘d known each other their whole lives.
"Rob was like that," he said. "Once you make his acquaintance, he gave all to you. If he saw you down, he‘d come over and talk to you."
McIntyre said serving under the paratroopers‘ maroon beret was the pinnacle of Short‘s career. Short had served years as a light engineer, known as a pioneer.
"It wasn‘t the colour of the beret; it was the men he felt privileged to serve with," said McIntyre. "Do not remember Rob for the way he was killed; remember Rob for the way he lived."
Beerenfenger was seconded to Para Company from 1RCR, a mechanized unit, and quickly made an impression on his new colleagues.
Cpl. Ricardo Taylor of North York, Ont., was one of his closest friends in the unit. He said Beerenfenger collected nicknames - Bear, B12 - and Taylor made it his job to find the right one. He ended up with Butters.
"I‘d say to him: ‘Nobody better not mess with my Butterfinger.‘ "
He and Beerenfenger were both quiet men, which set them apart in the gung- ho world of paratroopers. They passed the time watching movies together and telling stories - Beerenfenger described fishing and skateboarding with his sons. He‘d show Taylor pictures of his children and always told Taylor he should start a family.
"Boy, did he want to be a para," said Taylor. "He was hoping that after the tour we‘d keep him in Para Company and he could go on a jump course."
He even signed on to one and, anxious to make an impression and make the grade, he began running and working out.
"Rob was a very dependable soldier," said Taylor. "He wouldn‘t hesitate to do you a favour. He did what he was told without question or complaint. He definitely had the para attitude."
Said Cpl. Tim Fowler of St. Anthony, Nfld.: "Rob‘s strong personality and determination came out whenever he was challenged. No matter how big a job was or how big a guy was, he would not back down from anything."
The two used to have a "few drinks" together on Friday nights. On Saturday mornings, Fowler would drop his friend off at his grandparents‘ house "with a head like a 10-pound Smartie."
"Rob loved being a soldier and will always be remembered as a hard- charger."
Troops from the 31-nation International Security Assistance Force lined the tarmac at Kabul International Airport for the sendoff, including Gurkhas from Nepal. Pipers played Amazing Grace.
A French contingent in kepi hats sang a funeral dirge as they marched, le chant de la division marocaine, the song of the defunct French Morroccan Division.
Said Taylor: "You‘re on your way home now, Little Brother. Gentle winds and soft landings."
I‘m at a loss for word‘s as this is the second big hit for the Short familiy I believe, as his sister a Sapper with 2 C.E.R. was killed in a driver training Ex. last year.
No one deserve‘s this bad luck.
It was Rob and Sue‘s Daughter-in-law that was killed in the LAV accident.
Don‘t be at a loss for words troops - spread the word to all those within your realm of influence. This wasn‘t bad luck, this was a proud military family that has paid the ultimate sacrifice twice over. They paid with their lives, whilst in the line of duty, trying to make the world a better place. The Short and Beerenfenger families deserve the utmost honour and respect from all those that enjoy the benefits of a free society. We do it for our children, we do it for your children, and we do it for the innocents the world over.
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Ecoelis,
I was in Cold Lake last year when we got the word about Beth?
Two of the guy‘s there knew her from 2 C.E.R. and were gob smacked over the new‘s and said she was a A1 Sapper and a great person.
Thank you for clearifing up the relationship.
But I‘m still at a loss for word‘s for the familiy.
You don‘t have to worry I have been informing all about the loss in one family,but did not know it was daughter in law and father in law.
Thank‘s again.
I was in Cold Lake last year when we got the word about Beth?
Two of the guy‘s there knew her from 2 C.E.R. and were gob smacked over the new‘s and said she was a A1 Sapper and a great person.
Thank you for clearifing up the relationship.
But I‘m still at a loss for word‘s for the familiy.
You don‘t have to worry I have been informing all about the loss in one family,but did not know it was daughter in law and father in law.
Thank‘s again.
S
Sig
Guest
Every soldier at some level realizes the risk that they take when they are deployed over seas. That is what makes a soldier special. Soldiers know what they are up against, and they still go in head held high. Condolences to the families, but know that your sons died in honor and pride!
T
the patriot
Guest
I am at a loss for words. My sincerest and heartfelt condolences to the wives, children, family, and friends of the killed and injured soldiers in this tragedy. They epitomized their regimental motto "Pro Patria". They served and sacrificed "For Country".
-the patriot-
-the patriot-
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Great respect and love to the families who lost their loved ones. Friends thank you for your dedicated service... your country and god are with you always
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A poor carpenter blames his tools for his own failures.
Could it be that the tools themselves are dangerous, and we just have to accept it?
I know for certain that the job itself - the armed forces - is dangerous, regardless of the tools you use. If it wasn‘t dangerous, they wouldn‘t need soldiers to do it, they‘d use politicians instead.
Could it be that the tools themselves are dangerous, and we just have to accept it?
I know for certain that the job itself - the armed forces - is dangerous, regardless of the tools you use. If it wasn‘t dangerous, they wouldn‘t need soldiers to do it, they‘d use politicians instead.
C
civy2000
Guest
My condolances to those families for their losses. There families sacrifices will greatly better the safety of both the World, as well as our Country.
For those troops who are overseas healing from their wounds, I know they will hold their head high and be proud of what their with they are providing to the people in Afganistan.
Proud to be Canadian
OCdt Burghgraef
26 Svc Bn
For those troops who are overseas healing from their wounds, I know they will hold their head high and be proud of what their with they are providing to the people in Afganistan.
Proud to be Canadian OCdt Burghgraef
26 Svc Bn
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