The godfather of Canada’s latest fallen hero seems to feel that his goddaughter died for nothing. He believes that Canada’s military should return to its “peacekeeping roots”. Canada’s roots are not in peacekeeping any more than his roots are English instead of French.

In the next few days the remains of Trooper Blais will land at CFB Trenton and like all those who arrived before her, she and her family will travel the Highway of Heroes. On one of those bridges I’ll be standing in my place as a Legion officer to the left of the Canadian flag flying in her honour, saluting her service and sacrifice. I’m assuming her godfather, Mario Blais, will be in one of the vehicles passing under us.

I’d like opportunity to sit down with him and have a quiet talk about the legacy that his goddaughter signed up to. I’d like to talk to him about how his claim (and he’s not the only one to do this) that Canada’s roots are in peacekeeping diminishes the memory of those warriors Karine followed in the footsteps of. I’d like to talk to him about how even peacekeeping missions were not without danger and death, in fact at times the danger was even more while our soldiers were denied access to weaponry to protect themselves.

Yes, in Canada’s military history we have a proud tradition of exceling at peacekeeping. After all, the concept was created by one of our Prime Ministers, Lester B Pearson. Peacekeeping didn’t enter in our military heritage until 1956. Between Confederation in 1867 and then, Canada had engaged in four wars beginning with the Boer War (South African War) and included World War 1 & 2 and Korea.

Although a small country, when called to fight Canadians have responded to the call with a reputation for tenacity and valour in battle. The Germans referred to our highland regiments during WW1 as “the ladies from hell”. We can never lay claim to having great military might but our troops are respected as both warriors and peacekeepers.

Trooper Blais got that, she understood the steps she walked in. In the face of her family’s desire for her to take a safer role, she pressed ahead to what her heart drew her to do.

My dad and my uncles fought for Canada in WW2. My grandfather fought in WW1, served a training role in WW2. My late husband fought for Canada in Korea. When those like Mr Blais and the likes of Jack Layton (who should know better) claim that peacekeeping is our traditional role, they diminish and ignore the service of those like my family members.

Trooper Blais died serving Canada. She follows in the tradition that includes the ability of Canadians to fight tenaciously and the even handedness needed to be peacekeepers. We can and should be proud of our troops no matter what capacity they serve in.

It’s painful to loose family to a war. It’s painful as a Canadian to see a fellow Canadian die in service but Mr Blais, your goddaughter didn’t die for nothing. She died trying to do her part for this mission. It will only be for ‘nothing’ if the world gives up on Afghanistan and allows the Taliban and Al Queda to reassert themselves there.

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