Some question ongoing military presence in Afghanistan
Sep 10, 2008 - 05:13 PM
By Jeff Mitchell
WHITBY -- They gathered on a grimy highway overpass in the afternoon sun, proud Canadians all, awaiting the hearse carrying the remains of the latest soldier to die in Afghanistan.
Yet even as they professed their enduring support for the men and women serving overseas, some people gathered on the Brock Street bridge in Whitby Wednesday afternoon expressed growing concern over the human toll of the conflict.
"They should bring them home; there's too many dying," said Jeff Hill, wearing a red shirt bearing the "Support Our Troops" slogan as he awaited the procession carrying the body of Sergeant Scott Shipway, the 97th Canadian soldier to die during the Afghanistan mission.
People gathering for the repatriation made their comments on a day when Prime Minister Stephen Harper reiterated his intention to keep forces in Afghanistan until 2011. Some said that while they acknowledge the importance of the mission, the mounting fatalities are troubling.
"I have a lot of mixed feelings about it," Teresa Maly said. "As for the war, it's necessary, but it causes a lot of grief.
"I want to see it come to an end."
Glenna Lee said Canada has a moral obligation to continue to support the people of Afghanistan, who she said would likely be victimized by vengeful Taliban supporters should Western troops abruptly leave.
"I think they've got to stay," she said. "They went in there -- they've got to finish the job.
"What shape would they be in if we left now?"â?¨ The crowd grew steadily as the afternoon wore on. They draped Canadian flags over the railing and stared off to the east, awaiting the procession. They chatted and waved to motorists passing on the teeming 401 below, eliciting honks and thumbs-up from truckers as they rumbled by.
Then, around a bend appeared the flashing lights of the cortege, several blacks sedans flanked by OPP vehicles with sirens howling.
The vehicles passed by, under the pavement of the overpass and out of sight. The crowd began to disperse, folding flags and telling friends they'd see them next time.
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