The families of five Canadian soldiers slain in Afghanistan have arrived in the land where their loved ones died.
They came Saturday to take part in Remembrance Day ceremonies on Sunday at Kandahar Air Field.
"It was emotional to arrive in the country where our son lost his life," said Lincoln Dinning. He travelled from Richmond Hill, Ont. with his wife Laurie.
"It's a trip that none of us wish we had to make, but all of us are glad that we did."
Cpl. Matthew Dinning, 23, died on April 22, 2006 when an armoured jeep in which he was travelling hit a roadside bomb about 70 kilometres north of Kandahar. Three other Canadian troops also died in that incident.
"As a mother, I think I wanted to come to see the last place where Matthew was, plus I wanted to see some of the things he talked about that don't always make the news," said Laurie Dinning.
A C-130 Hercules transport plane carried the families to the base. They emerged wearing helmets and flak jackets, seemingly overwhelmed by the Afghan sun's brightness.
The families got a tour of the air field, chatted with some soldiers and stopped at a memorial to the 71 Canadian soldiers who have died in Afghanistan since 2002.
"We hope and pray that there's not another name going on it," Lincoln Dinning said. "But if we're going to continue to be here for years to come, then there undoubtedly will be."
Here are some of the other five parents and one widow who made the trip:
- The father of Pte. Kevin Dallaire, 22, of Calgary. He died in an RPG attack on the outskirts of Kandahar;
- The parents of Cpl. Christopher Reid, 34, from Truro, Nova Scotia. He died when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb;
- The parents of Cpl. Jason Warren, 29, of Montreal. He died after his vehicle was hit by a suicide bomber; and
- The widow of Chief Warrant Officer Robert Girouard of Bathurst, N.B. He died almost a year ago when a suicide bomber drove his vehicle into a military convoy near Kandahar City.
Commodore Paul Maddison escorted the five families to the base. He said the trip has been planned for several months at the request of Gen. Rick Hillier, Canada's chief of defence staff.
"Perhaps it will bring one element of their grieving to closure -- to be close to where their sons and their husband last lived and it takes a great deal of personal courage when you're grieving the way these folks are to come this far,'' Maddison said.
The Dinnings said they made the trip to show support for the mission and because Matthew would have approved.
"He really believed in what he was doing over here and he knew the risks," said Laurie Dinning. "He certainly was willing to take the risks because he believed in the cause."
Nova Scotian families honour troops
Meanwhile, family members of those serving in Afghanistan paraded through a small Nova Scotia town Saturday. They were joined by dozens of supporters in Shelburne, all wearing red in honor of soldiers who have fought in past wars and to support those who are fighting in Afghanistan.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay attended the rally.
"This red rally and rallies like it demonstrate the faith and determination for our troops to persevere, to continue, and to succeed in this mission," he said.
The idea to wear red to support Canadian troops began in 2006. Family members of soldiers of CFB Petawawa decided to wear red outfits on Fridays and they encouraged others to the same.
