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Premier expresses condolences to families of two Newfoundland and Labrador soldiers killed in Afghanistan
 
The Telegram - 09/04/07

Premier Danny Williams today expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of the six Canadian Forces soldiers in Afghanistan on the Easter weekend. Two of the soldiers tragically killed Sunday in Afghanistan are from Newfoundland and Labrador — 31-year-old Sgt. Donald Lucas of St. John's and 20-year-old Pte. Kevin Kennedy of St. Lawrence.

“Our hearts are broken for the families of those who have sacrificed their lives so tragically and valiantly. On a day when we are remembering tragic losses in past wars, we are saddened that our sons and daughters continue to pay the ultimate price to secure peace and freedom,” Williams said. “Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to all the colleagues and loved ones of the brave soldiers who lost their lives or suffered injuries. We will never forget the sacrifice they have made."

Flags at Confederation Building will be flown at half staff to honour Sgt. Lucas and Pte. Kennedy.

The six soldiers killed Sunday make it the deadliest day for Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan.

Kennedy and Lucas were two of five soldiers from the Gagetown, N.B.-based 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment. The other three were Cpl. Aaron E. Williams, 23, of Lincoln, N.B.; Pte. David Robert Greenslade, 20, of Saint John, N.B.; and a soldier who was not identified at the request of his family. Also killed was Cpl. Christopher Paul Stannix, 24, of Dartmouth, N.S., who was a reservist from the Halifax-based Princess Louise Fusiliers.

Ten soldiers were travelling Sunday in a LAV-3 armoured vehicle, accompanying coalition convoys to the Sangin district, the scene of fierce fighting between the coalition and the Taliban, when the bomb exploded.

The explosion injured two other Canadian soldiers, one seriously.

Sunday’s toll brings the total number of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2002 to 51. A Canadian diplomat has also been killed.

Canadians are among 4,500 NATO and 1,000 Afghan soliders involved in Operation Achilles — one of the largest multinational forces fielded in a single operation in Afghanistan.

The military said in March that a force of more than 200 soldiers from the Royal Canadian Regiment battle group would be supporting the offensive by setting up a blocking position in the Maywand district just inside the northwestern border of Kandahar province.

Kandahar province, where Canada’s 2,500 troops operate, is adjacent to Helmand province in southern Afghanistan.