Father proud of his son's service overseas

"He knew the risks, he took them, he was proud to be there and he enjoyed it, and proud to serve his country," said Lincoln Dinning, father of Cpl. Matt Dinning, on Saturday from his home in Wingham, Ont.

Matt Dinning and three other soldiers died about 7:30 a.m. local time on Saturday near Gumbad, Afghanistan, about 75 kilometres north of Kandahar.

They were travelling back from a forward operating base there nicknamed The Red Devil Inn to the main base in Kandahar when a bomb, possibly buried in the road, detonated as their G-Wagon jeep passed over it.

Three soldiers were pronounced dead at the scene, and a fourth died while being taken to hospital.

Also dead are:

Bombardier Myles Mansell, of Victoria; a reservist who worked as a carpenter.
Lieut. William Turner, of Toronto, but stationed in Edmonton. Another reservist, he was a letter-carrier by trade and had been working as a civilian-military co-operation officer.
Cpl. Randy Payne, born in Lahr, Germany, but stationed at CFB Wainright, Alta.

Matt Dinning shipped out for Afghanistan in January, departing from CFB Trenton.

"We said goodbye to him," Lincoln Dinning told CTV News. "We talked about the things that could happen, and he knew the risks, but he took them. He was proud to be there."

To the other families, he said: "The one thing I would like to say is to the other three soldiers' families is, my condolences, because we know what you're going through."

At Dinning's base in Petawawa, flags flew at half-mast. Across the country, soldiers reflected on the loss of their colleagues.

"For those that have been there, it has an extra meaning every time you hear about something like that," said Sgt. Major Albert Boucher of the North Saskatchewan Regiment in Saskatoon.

"It's a sad note to have. I've had no end of people coming to offer their condolences saying this had to happen in this time frame," said Sgt. Scott Schall of Lord Strathcona's Horse.

Michael Mansell, Myles' brother left a message on the website of his brother's regiment in Victoria, B.C.: "As his brother, I am very proud of what he and fellow Canadian soldiers are doing. Myles was doing exactly what he believed in; trying to make a better world for everyone."

In return, a soldier wrote: "I am so sorry for your loss, our hearts go out to you. You too were part and still (are a) part of the family."

The mens' bodies will be returned to Canada on Tuesday.

Official reaction

"Our thoughts and our prayers are with the families on this, the most terrible day of their lives. We know their hearts are bursting with grief but, and we know this, their hearts will also be bursting with pride," Gen. Rick Hillier, Canada's top soldier, said in Ottawa on Saturday.

"We're not going to let the terrorists win. I believe Canadians understand that and they're behind the armed forces and they`re behind this mission," said Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor.

He vowed this country's commitment to the mission would not weaken.

However, the Canadian flag flew at full mast over the Parliament buildings on Saturday.

The new Conservative government said they will not follow the previous Liberal government's tradition of lowering the flag to half-mast every time a soldier is killed.

Instead, it will only be lowered on Remembrance Day as per the older tradition.

In Kandahar, the flag was lowered.

Brig.-Gen. David Fraser, Canada's top soldier in Afghanistan, said: "While we are saddened by their loss, we will not forget them or their sacrifice.

"We will redouble our efforts in southern Afghanistan in their memory."

Fifteen Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan since 2002.

With a report from CTV's David Akin