Day of honour for soldiers announced

The final contingent of Canadian soldiers to leave Afghanistan is back on home soil tonight. The mission — which began in late 2001 — cost the lives of 158 Canadian soldiers. Hundreds of others were wounded. Tuesday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that May 9th will be designated a ‘day of honour’ to commemorate their service.

After filing off a C-17 transport plane, the final 93 Canadian soldiers to leave Afghanistan received an emotional welcome home.

Along with family and friends offering hugs, flowers and tears of joy, Prime Minister Harper, Governor General David Johnston and the Chief of Defence Staff General Tom Lawson were also on hand Tuesday.

More than 2,000 members of Canadian Armed Forces were wounded in the Afghanistan mission. 158 were killed. Harper announced that May 9th will be dedicated to remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice — and recognizing the efforts of the military:  “May 9th has been designated by royal proclamation as a national day of honour. On that day, Canada will recognize those who fought — remember those who fell — and salute all those who contributed to this 10 year mission.”

Some came today to congratulate returning soldiers for a job well done. Others, like the parents of Private Michael Freeman, to remember the ones who didn’t make it back.

Gail and Mark Freeman: “We lost our son in 2008 and we never got to go to a homecoming this way. We wanted to make sure that we were here today. We’re here as part of that team that can’t be with us and just to welcome them home and say congratulations on a job well done.”

Canada has had a presence in Afghanistan since October 2001. The mission officially came to an end last week.