The Reality of Afghanistan

Tom is in Afghanistan right now. He is part of the new 2200 troops that have gone over for a 6 month tour of duty. This week is also the deadliest week in the history of the Afghanistan mission. 7 soldiers have died in 9 days. The unfortunate thing about this statistic is that I could say that they were from the Edmonton contingent. But, not anymore.

MCpl Walsh is the man in the picture and he was on Tom's plane over to Afghanistan. The reality is that he was just starting out like Tom. He had been over there for 5 days and was killed. Him and Tom spoke on the plane over...nothing serious, just polite conversation. So, it makes me shudder because now the reality of this whole thing has really hit home. Someone that Tom knew has died and that makes this whole thing a lot more real than it was before.

All I can think about is the day that he will come home. February looks a lot further away now that there are a consistent string of deaths that are being reported. In my thoughts are all of the families that have lost and all of the families that have loved ones over there. I send my condolences and respect to the family of Mr. Walsh. I can only imagine what they would be going through at this moment.

As for Tom, I know in my heart that he will come home safe to me. I think he realizes, as we all do, that this is not the peacekeeping that Canada was once revered for....this is the real deal and it is scary.