KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan did not stop Tuesday to mark the 6th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
A moment of silence in this war-torn land is hard to come by. Rather, some of Canada's troops were concerned about insurgents bent on celebrating the devastating attack with a deadly mission of their own, just as the Islamic holy month of Ramadan was about to begin.
"Perhaps it means more as far as risk goes," said Pte. Brian Belanger, 23, a soldier from Valcartier, Que.
"Today is a celebration for the Taliban, who might attack a convoy."
However, military officials were hopeful the date wouldn't bring any increase in violence in what has already been one of the most violent years since the Taliban were ousted in 2001.
Lt.-Col. Claude Fournier, chief of operations for the Canadian military in Afghanistan, said Sept. 11, 2001, is of greater significance to al-Qaida than the Taliban.
"Afghanistan is more a Taliban country than it is al-Qaida country, so the reality is we don't encounter many al-Qaida fighters," he said.
"Even though for the Taliban it probably means something, it has nothing to do really with the real fight of al-Qaida."
As for Ramadan, Fournier said it has been used in the past to spur extremist Muslims to sacrifice themselves.
"But at the same time, it's also a time for Muslims to think of others, to be close to their families," he said. "Because of that, so far we haven't seen any real indication that it will be more (violent)."
Ramadan is expected to begin Thursday.
In the abridged version of this war, the Sept. 11 attacks are the reason NATO troops are in Afghanistan.
They are certainly the reason Pte. Gratien David, 35, is here. He rejoined the Canadian Forces following the 2001 attacks.
"We must never forget what happened on Sept. 11, 2001," he said as he hurried across the sunbaked base in Kandahar on Tuesday.
David said he was working in northern Quebec at the time.
"When I saw what happened, that made me realize that the world is a fragile place," he said.
The Taliban were in control of the government in Afghanistan at the time and they allowed al-Qaida to operate bases in the country. Canada decided to support the U.S.-led coalition to drive the Taliban from power, and David joined up.
"I wanted to serve my country and serve a good cause," he said.
In Kabul, U.S. soldiers marked the anniversary with a moment of silence as their flag was lowered to half mast, but silence never lasts long here.
Two Afghan drivers were killed Tuesday in a suicide attack on a NATO convoy of tanker trucks in Helmand province.
In Australia, Prime Minister Stephen Harper used the anniversary to urge the Australian Parliament to continue their country's presence in Afghanistan.
"As 9-11 showed, if we abandon our fellow human beings to lives of poverty, brutality and ignorance in today's global village, their misery will eventually and inevitably become our own," Harper said during a visit to Canberra.
David, of Miscou Island, N.B., said he has no regrets about rejoining the forces after a 15-year hiatus. He has three brothers who are also in the Canadian Forces, one who has already served in Afghanistan.
In fact, he'll come back, given the opportunity.
"This means something," he said.
David said he is proud to help Afghans to have a chance at freedom.
"If they can one day have freedom like we have in Canada, that would make a big difference," he said. "At least, for the people who have given their lives here, it will have meant something."
Seventy Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have died in Afghanistan since the war began.
