“What their families had to manage and endure and deal with while their loved ones were overseas. They carry a burden as well,” said Lt.-Col Ken Jyrkkanen, the retired commander of the Rocky Mountain Rangers during the height of the War on Terror (2004-2009).
Those in Kamloops who proudly served, refusing to left Doyle’s memory be tarnished or forgotten, for his death to have been without meaning.
“He just doesn’t understand, never have been a soldier himself, never having picked up a weapon, stood a watch himself. I don’t think he understands what it means to be soldier,” said Lt. Mike Young, retired member of the Canadian Armed Forces, who is president of the Kamloops Legion.
Canadian’s weren’t alone in answering the call, with NATO forces from around globe joining the fight, including the British, who saw 457 casualties.
“We should not forgot that Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty Association (NATO) was invoked for the first and only time by the Americans after the atrocities that took place on 9/11,” said retired Lt.-Col. Robin Steel of the Royal Green Jackets, British Army. “We stood there then, and for him to suggest somehow we aren’t there for them is not borne out by the facts.”
For those who fought and came home, the battle scars don’t magically disappear when you return and the mental impact of those memories rarely subside.
“Sometimes those soldiers were not the same when they got off the plane and some were quite changed, and I know personally some soldiers who carry scars from the conflict to this day,” said Jyrkkanen, “so to hear comments like that, that somehow we don’t contribute, never would contribute is an absolute afront and it angers me personally. It angers me for the soldiers as well and their families.”
Despite the anger directed toward the statements and the president, there was little doubt among those on Thursday (Jan. 29), Canada, the Brits and NATO would again step up alongside their American brothers-in-arm.
“We have shared too much dirt, too many ration packs and too many stories not to be willing to step up,” said Sands.