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Afghanistan
Princess Pats Lose Princess
2006-05-17
The Canadians have lost a woman in combat in Afghanistan.
A Canadian soldier was killed during a firefight with insurgents that occurred approximately 24 kilometres west of Kandahar. The incident occurred at approximately 6:55 p.m. Kandahar time (10: 25 a.m. EDT) on 17 May. Killed was Captain Nichola Kathleen Sarah Goddard who was serving with Task Force Afghanistan as part of the 1st Battalion Princess PatriciaÂ’s Canadian Light Infantry (1 PPCLI) Battle Group. Captain Goddard was stationed with the 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in Shilo, Manitoba; her next-of-kin have been notified.The repatriation of Captain GoddardÂ’s remains is now being planned.Capt Goddard was engaged in a significant operation, one in which Canadian soldiers were in support of Afghan authorities, when she was killed. That operation was a clearance operation by Afghan security personnel in Kandahar province north of the Arghandab River and west of Kandahar City.

Canadian Forces, in cooperation with the Government of Afghanistan, assist Afghan security forces in the conduct of these operations to rid the region of those insurgents seeking to destabilize the security situation in which the Afghan people live and raise their families. The Afghan security forces, assisted by Canadians, are succeeding. Preliminary results of this contact indicate that a significant number of Taliban were killed in this action.
Posted by:Ulese Elmineng9153

#12  Bloc Quebecois is not much better. The La Raza of the Great White North.
Posted by: Fordesque   2006-05-17 23:48  

#11  This comes as a surprise, because the Liberals could have made this an election issue, and a pain in the butt for Harper. Harper said he would extend the mission for one year, even if Parliament voted against. Now he's got 2 years.

Otoh, the Liberals did send the troops to Afghanistan, so they would look really stupid if they voted this down. Many still voted against it though. Which says a lot.

But good for Bill Graham. He could have chosen to play politics to gain some votes, and for a moment it looked like he would, but didn't. Earned some respect from me.

This was a no-brainer and the vote should have been overwhelmingly in favour of the extension, as this vote was in effect a morale booster for the troops in Afghanistan. So this just reaffirms my hatred of the NDP and their bonehead leader Jack Layton. Whatta bunch of losers. Even worse than the Liberals.
Posted by: Great White Polar Bear   2006-05-17 23:14  

#10  Michael Yon's last piece from Afghanistan mentions how the Canucks are really in the thick of it over there - and not defensively.

God bless her family.
Posted by: xbalanke   2006-05-17 23:11  

#9  Canada's stay in Afghanistan extended by 2 years

...members of Parliament have voted to approve an extension of the military mission to Afghanistan. The vote was close, but the government prevailed 149-145.

NDP and Bloc Quebecois voted against, so this means some Liberals including interim Liberal leader Bill Graham voted for the 2-year extension. Knock me over with a feather.
Posted by: Great White Polar Bear   2006-05-17 22:56  

#8  Please include a hat tip and a link when the source is another blog.

Sorry, Chuck.

Posted by: Fred   2006-05-17 22:33  

#7  Rest in Peace.
Posted by: Broadhead6   2006-05-17 22:12  

#6  she gave all, God Bless!
Posted by: RD   2006-05-17 22:06  

#5  One of only four women deployed. Marked for rapid advancement by the Canadian Forces. Guess she was urgently needed in heaven.

Thank you, Nich, for your ultimate sacrifice.
Posted by: Great White Polar Bear   2006-05-17 21:55  

#4  I can't find anything yet on her bio but she looks like a nice lady.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2006-05-17 21:30  

#3  Amen - the Canucks join the sacrifices
Posted by: Frank G   2006-05-17 21:30  

#2  Preliminary results of this contact indicate that a significant number of Taliban were killed in this action.

She's got her escort to Heaven. May her memory be for a blessing.
Posted by: trailing wife   2006-05-17 21:14  

#1  Fred? Don't I get a credit anymore?

She was acting as a forward artillary observer.

As sad as their losses are, the Princess Pat's continue to punch well above their wieght class.
Posted by: Chuck Simmins   2006-05-17 20:53  

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