Fallen soldiers return home to Canada

The family of Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown takes a moment to remember the fallen solider as his casket returns to CFB Trenton with commentary from retired colonel Michel Drapeau.

CTV Newsnet: The family of Cpl. Dany Olivier Fortin says goodbye

The family of Cpl. Dany Olivier Fortin takes a moment to remember the fallen solider as his casket returns to CFB Trenton with commentary from retired colonel Michel Drapeau.

CTV Newsnet: The family of Cpl. Kenneth Chad O'Quinn says goodbye

The Cpl. Kenneth Chad O'Quinn takes a moment to remember the fallen solider as his casket returns to CFB Trenton with commentary from retired colonel Michel Drapeau.

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Fri. Mar. 6 2009 3:02 PM ET

The bodies of three fallen Canadian soldiers have returned home to Canada, arriving by military aircraft at CFB Trenton on Friday afternoon.

Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown, Cpl. Dany Olivier Fortin and Cpl. Kenneth Chad O'Quinn were killed Tuesday when an improvised explosive device detonated near an armoured vehicle during a patrol in Afghanistan's Arghandab district.

Two others were injured in the fatal blast, which occurred northwest of Kandahar City.

Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) members were present for the repatriation ceremony on the tarmac at CFB Trenton on Friday afternoon, out of respect for Brown, who served as a special constable with the police service.

Brown joined the NRPS in 2001 and was assigned to its court services unit. He continued to serve with the police service until taking a leave of absence to serve in Afghanistan last fall.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Vice Admiral Denis Rouleau, vice chief of defence staff, were also scheduled to be on hand for the repatriation ceremony at CFP Trenton.

After the repatriation ceremony, a convoy will carry the fallen soldiers' bodies to Toronto along the Highway of Heroes -- the stretch of highway between Trenton and Toronto.

Two NRPS cruisers were scheduled to follow the procession to Toronto.

At a ramp ceremony at Kandahar Airfield on Wednesday night, more than 2,000 NATO soldiers and some visiting former NHL players stood at attention on the tarmac to pay their respects to the fallen soldiers.

The three deaths bring Canada's military death toll in Afghanistan to 111. A Canadian diplomat and two Canadian aid workers have also been killed over the course of the insurgency.

With files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

SP Smith
said

As we sorrowfully welcome home our fallen today, I'm especially grateful to those who do what I can't - those who line the Highway of heroes to honour our dead.

Know that those of you who can be there represent untold others who dearly wish they could share the privilege of paying homage to these brave young men.

Thank you.

May those who've suffered this loss be held up in the love & support of their families, friends & the military community.

Cassie
said

RIP to 3 Canadian Heros

Linda in Vancouver
said

Please,Mr.Saskatchewan farmer,this is neither the time or the place for your Harper hating rhetoric.
This family sends it's deepest sympathies and sincere condolance to the friends an families of these truly great Canadians.
These are very special people.It takes a very special person to muster the courage to do this kind of work in a very turbulent work.In the hours of sadness ahead,I truly hope these families and friends also find time to be grateful for the time they spent in the company of some of Canada's finest citizens.
Your bravery and commitment to the cause of freedom and justice will not be forgotten.
Rest in peace while we carry on.
To those still serving and their families,thank you for your service.Please,stand proud and come home safely.

Doug BC
said

God Bless you guys and all those you left behind.
When I retired last year I had thought I could also be on the Highway of Heros to welcome home our nations best whenever these sad situation arose.Economics now keep my body in BC,but be assured ,my heart is with those saluting you on that highway.
This is a sad day in our home,but we remain proud of each and every one of you for the selfless and courageous way in which you served our country,and stood up for the people in Afghanistan.
Our sincere condolances to the friends and families of these brave people.I wish I had been fortunate enough to know each and every one of them.
Rest in Peace,my friends. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

A Fellow Soldier
said

May you rest in peace my brothers. We will continue your fight.

Donna (Mississauga)
said

You have made the final journey home and the ultimate sacrifice that you each have given to your country will not be forgotten. God Bless you all and your families. And God Bless and keep safe all the men and women who serve our country in foreign lands.

Tina Cornwall, Ontario
said

To our fallen heros, may you all rest peacefully. And to their families, may the wonderful memories you've made with them, remain with you until you are all reunited again. God Bless!

Laura Laister
said

God bless these valiant men and the families/loved ones they leave behind. Regardless of anyone's opinion of this war, we must acknowledge the sacrifices of those that brave the dangers of serving in the military.
A special prayer to the family of Warrant Officer Brown who live just houses away. My family will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Marlene Leslie
said

As I prepare to go to the overpass to honour you, I pray I will need to go there no more. God bless your families. It's time for everyone to come home safely.

Katherine Bristol - Port Dover
said

Another Proud Military Mom.

It is with tears that I right this because maybe I feel a little guilty because my son arrive home alive last month and I don't have to go through what the families of these soldiers do. I wish I could stand and salute you as you travel down the Highway of Heroes. It is easy for everyone to complain instead of standing up for our Country. We are proud and God Bless your families and friends.

Tori
said

My condolences to the families, friends and members of the Canadian Forces.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of need.

To the soldiers who have stood proud and given their all....I will remember you.

This war is giving a new meaning to our armed forces. It is showing the Canadian public a small taste of what the military members have know. That in order to have freedom you must have sacrifice.

Thank you soldiers, your sacrifice for my freedom leaves me forever in your debt.

Lyne
said

TROY

Words can not express the gratitude that many of us soldiers feel for all of the citizens who stand on the Highway of Heroes in honour of the fallen. Please don't ever doubt what that means to us! A heartfelt Thank You for your support, and all who stand on the Highway of Heroes!

Harold, Winnipeg
said

God bless the fallen soldiers and their families. You are in safe hands now, rest in peace.

Carola Hicks, St. Catharines
said

Never believe these deaths were in vain. Someone in this world is better for what these soldiers did and gave their lives for.

Rose from Alberta
said

To the familiies of these brave men, my heart goes out to each one of you and your loved ones, and you are in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. These young men believed in what they are doing there and for that I support you one hundred percent. RIP my brothers.

justjeff1972
said

A gracious nation greives for her sons who are returning this day.

May the families of those lost be comforted that they died doing their duty; to make the world a safer and more secure place to live.

May we who serve(like myself with 18 years of service) always remember those who have gone before us and never forget their sacrifice.

May those who live in this nation know that we serve and will serve until there is no need for soliders to combat evil in any form. To those who support us in these and all times, thank you for your support; and to those who continue to cast doubt, anger, fear, negativity to this just cause I say this: Before you pass judgement on us or the mission at hand, walk a patrol in our boots to see how it is.

"They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun,
and in the morning,
we will remember them."

Gram (Trenton)
said

Thank you for doing what many people are afraid of. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of these brave men.
A line of truth...
"If you don't want to stand behind your troops, then stand in front of them."
~Unknown

Paul
said

You will never be forgotten by all your brothers in arms. We will be at your side for your final journey Dennis.

Proud Military Mom
said

I wish I could pay tribute on the Highway of Heroes today. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Heartfelt sympathies to the families...civilian and military. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember you. Stand down soldier.

Lauree
said

Sacrificing our young and beautiful people is seemingly futile....but these young people made a most selfless decision to try to make a difference....we need to honor them and their families by living our lives in an honorable way...we are free.

Alain - Kingston
said

Let us not debate the political side - let us just honor them for doing what they are doing.

Debbie-military spouse
said

Why does someone always have to say bring the troops home when one of them dies. We are in a war, people are going to die. We honor their deaths, give strenght to the families left behind and pray for the safe arrivals of everyone else.

Ray Jorritsma
said

Arms around the families of all the fallen. They have not died in vain, for they have helped to keep Canada the "true North, strong and free"!

Amanda Weston-St. Catharines, ON
said

Glad to have you home boys, you served your country well
Non Nobis Sed Patriae

Jessica
said

Rest in Peace, you're home now. My heart and prayers go out to the families of these 3 brave soldiers, all those who have lost someone special and to those who still have someone serving overseas. My boyfriend will be deployed in six months and I only hope that all goes well for him, everyone who is still over serving now and the soldiers who have yet to go, stay safe.

Proud Soldier
said

To Glenn: Only the dead have seen the end of war.
To david sawkiw: Since you're in Saskatchewan, I suppose that "we" aren't "over there". I know that I am. I volunteered to come here. This is, for me, an obligation to my country, one that may cost me my life. WO Dennis Brown, Cpl Kenneth O'Quinn and Cpl Dany Olivier all volunteered, knowing that they could die in the performance of their duties. Mrs. Brown's words should remind us all that there are some things in the world for which we must fight, kill and if necessary, die.

Barney In Trenton
said

True,Proud Canadians. We will NEVER forget you. Thank You.

SIG OP
said

Welcome home HEROES! God bless you all.

Fellow Canadian soldier
said

Glenn, and David...

This comment section is for the men who paid the ultimate sacrafice for this great Nation and what it stands for, something of which you two will never know of. Please leave your comments for the government to thier comment page and leave this page to these fallen loving men who stand/stood for the rights you take for granted each day. Rest easy troops, rest easy... you served your country proud.

Mike
said

Rest easy now boys your tour is done.

Capt Lance Usher
said

Yet again, I will be at the main gate of CFB Trenton with 1st CAV (Canadian Army Vetrans), a motorcycle unit of ex and currently serving members to say goodby to more good men. Men who paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our safety from terrorism here at home. May God be with you all and with your families.

Gayle
said

God Speed. We are all praying for your families.

andrew halifax
said

may they rest in peace. our heros. familys of these wonerful men we are turley sorry for their deaths. We mourn with you in this tragedy

Troy
said

We will stand on the Highway of Heros for you. Our thoughts and prayers go to the families, and to our friends that are still abroad.

david sawkiw[saskatchewan farmer]
said

Maybe it is time harper got us out of there??

Glenn
said

Will this ever end...

Annette
said

God speed to the families of these young heros. My heart goes out to each of you. We mourn with you in this tragedy.

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