KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - A distinctly Canadian memorial to soldiers who have lost their lives in Afghanistan was rededicated Monday as American forces observed Memorial Day at Kandahar Airfield.
The Inukshuk was originally erected in July 2002 to remember four Canadian soldiers killed in a friendly fire incident at nearby Tarnak Farms earlier that year.
The symbol, part of a memorial cairn that also honoured U.S. and British soldiers killed in action as well as victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, was originally located near the flight line at the base. However, it was recently damaged in an accident involving a contractor.
The Inuit stone marker has since been fully reconstructed and moved to the airfield's boardwalk area, where it's more accessible for soldiers to pay their respects.
The air base commander, British Air Commodore Bob Judson, said those in uniform often struggle to find the right words to honour absent comrades.
The Inukshuk, he said, will remind future generations that "we were here now'' while also demonstrating hope for the future.
"In our hearts we know that our missing friends and comrades are deserving every honour and acknowledgment that out nations can provide,'' he said.
American, Canadian, British, Dutch and Australian troops turned out for the short but moving ceremony.
Col. Jamie Cade, deputy commander of current rotation of Canadian troops in the war-torn country, thanked the other countries for paying "honour and respect'' to the soldiers who have given their lives.
Four Canadian soldiers -- Sgt. Marc D. Leger, Cpl. Ainsworth Dyer, Pte. Richard Green and Pte Nathan Smith -- were killed when a U.S. pilot mistakenly dropped a 225-kilogram bomb on their position. Maj. Harry Schmidt, who had been returning at night from a 10 hour patrol, mistook the Canadian training exercise outside of the airfield for ground fire.
Eight other Canadians were wounded in the April 18, 2002, incident.
All of the men belonged to the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry battle group.
Schmidt and a second pilot, Maj. William Umbach, were charged with four counts of negligent manslaughter, eight counts of aggravated assault, and one count of dereliction of duty. The charges against Umbach were later dismissed and those against Schmidt were reduced in 2003 to dereliction of duty.
A total of 83 Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan over the years, along with one diplomat.
