CFB TRENTON, Ont. - The body of a Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan was returned to Canadian soil on Friday evening in a sombre ceremony at CFB Trenton.
As the sun dropped from the evening sky, a military aircraft carrying the body of Trooper Darryl Caswell made a quick descent on this eastern Ontario base that has seen the return of dozens of fallen soldiers since 2002.
Caswell, 25, died Monday while riding in a combat patrol vehicle that hit a roadside bomb about 40 kilometres north of Kandahar.
Members of Caswell's family, all wearing red and black, stood on the tarmac weeping as his coffin was lifted out of the plane and moved to a hearse.
His stepmother clutched a photo of Caswell, while his brother placed a single red rose on the coffin.
Grieving family members and military officials were joined by Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor on the tarmac.
Supporters clung to the outside of a chain link face at the edge of the base, waving red and white Canadian flags.
Caswell was deployed with the Reconnaissance Squadron from the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment battle group.
He was scheduled to return home in just six weeks.
Caswell was the 57th Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan.
