Sapper Brian Collier, 24, had dismounted from his vehicle in the village of Nakhonay, 15 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city, when he was killed by an IED blast.

"Previously injured in a separate IED strike, Sapper Collier fought hard to overcome his injury in order to get back to doing his job with his comrades," Brigadier-General Jonathan Vance said.

Collier was a member of 1 Combat Engineer Retirement based at CFB Edmonton.

Vance says Collier was known for his easy going nature and sense of humour, and was an automobile enthusiast.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper extended his condolences to Collier's family and friends, saying "the bravery and remarkable commitment of Canadians like Sapper Collier are bringing safety and stability to the people of Afghanistan."

Collier was injured in late May by another IED blast. But he worked hard to recover and return to the field with his unit. Jim said his son complained of headaches after that incident and that it affected his sleep.

"Brian has died as a hero -- far too young," his mother Carol said.

Born in Toronto, Collier grew up in Bradford, a roughly one-hour drive north.

His father Jim, trying to stifle his grief, said his son loved sports. Brian's favourites included hockey, baseball, whitewater rafting, snowboarding and skydiving.

Brian came home one day and said he'd signed up for the military. "It was a good day. He felt proud of himself," Jim said.

"He introduced us to his sergeant. That was very important to him," Carol Collier said when her son shipped out for Afghanistan in early May. "After we met him, (Brian) said, 'Good, I can go now.'

"He didn't want his sisters coming because he's afraid they'd cry too much and get him upset," she said with a chuckle.

Collier leaves behind his parents and three sisters.

As of today, Canada has lost 151 soldiers in the war in Afghanistan since 2002.

We at Oye! Times humbly pay our respect to Sapper Brian Collier's family and the loved ones he left behind.

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Pte. Andrew Miller, 21, was attached to a unit that was on its way to deal with a mine that had been found in the doorway of a home when the vehicle he was in detonated an improvised explosive device.

Pte. Andrew Miller was a medical technician attached to the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group.

The incident occurred at 11 a.m. about 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City.

“Although we cannot say for certain that these medical personnel were targeted deliberately, it is for certain that the threat to Afghans stemming from the influence of out of area fighters at this time of year is very serious,” said Brigadier-General Jonathan Vance, the commander of Task Force Kandahar.

“Medical technicians are indispensible to the work being done by Canadian and Afghan soldiers. They participate in every Canadian Forces patrol and operation,” Brig.-Gen. Vance said.

“It is because of their dedicated and skilful work, often under fire, that many Canadian, coalition, and Afghan soldiers and civilians are alive today.”

Pte. Andrew Miller was born in Sudbury, Ont. A member of 2 Field Ambulance, based at CFB Petawawa, he was serving on his first overseas deployment.

Brig.-Gen. Vance said Pte. Miller will be remembered as someone who would give his fellow soldiers the shirt off his back and was always the first to volunteer.

“Andrew was very confident in both his soldier and clinical skills. He wanted nothing more than to be part of the Health Services Unit for ROTO 9, in Afghanistan, so that he could put his skills to the test,” he said.

“Called Caillou by his friends – everyone acknowledged the resemblance as soon as they met him.”

As of today, Canada has lost 150 soldiers in the war in Afghanistan since 2002.

We at Oye! Times humbly pay our respect to Pte. Andrew Miller's family and the loved ones he left behind.

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Master Corporal Kristal Giesebrecht, 34, was attached to a unit that was on its way to deal with a mine that had been found in the doorway of a home when the vehicle she was in detonated an improvised explosive device.

Master Cpl. Giesebrecht was a medical technician attached to the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group.

The incident occurred at 11 a.m. about 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City.

“Although we cannot say for certain that these medical personnel were targeted deliberately, it is for certain that the threat to Afghans stemming from the influence of out of area fighters at this time of year is very serious,” said Brigadier-General Jonathan Vance, the commander of Task Force Kandahar.

“Medical technicians are indispensible to the work being done by Canadian and Afghan soldiers. They participate in every Canadian Forces patrol and operation,” Brig.-Gen. Vance said.

“It is because of their dedicated and skilful work, often under fire, that many Canadian, coalition, and Afghan soldiers and civilians are alive today.”

Master Cpl. Giesebrecht is the third Canadian woman to be killed in a combat situation.

“Kristal loved life to the fullest. She was a wonderful friend, always opening her heart to everyone in need.”— Brigadier-General Jonathan Vance

Brig.-Gen. Vance said Master Cpl. Giesebrecht was born in Wallaceburg, Ont., and was a member of 1 Canadian Field Hospital, based at CFB Petawawa.

He said she was married and a fit, dedicated and fun-loving medical technician serving on her second tour in Afghanistan.

“She was a mentor and an inspiration for her fellow medical technicians. Kristal loved life to the fullest. She was a wonderful friend, always opening her heart to everyone in need,” Brig.-Gen. Vance said.

“Kristal prided herself on her health and fitness, although she always felt the solution to any problem could be found in a box of chocolates.”

As of today, Canada has lost 149 soldiers in the war in Afghanistan since 2002.

We at Oye! Times humbly pay our respect to Master Corporal Kristal Giesebrecht's family and the loved ones she left behind.

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Sgt. James Macneil, 28



10-year veteran of the Canadian Forces was killed Monday while on foot patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan, the military announced.

Brig.-Gen. Jon Vance, Canada's top commander in Afghanistan said Sgt. James Macneil, 28, was killed at approximately 8 a.m. local time by an IED.

Macneil was patrolling with the Afghan army near Nakhonay, a village southwest of the city of Kandahar, when the device exploded, Vance said.

A man "with a big heart," Jimmy, as he was known, was regarded as "the epitome of excellence and professionalism," Vance said.

Macneil was on his fourth mission to Afghanistan. He was based in Petawawa, Ont., with the 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group

Jeannie Lind, his cousin, said MacNeil was planning a new chapter in his life and had just become engaged to Laura, a teacher living in Glace Bay as well, hoping to eventually buy a house and become stationed in Sydney, N.S.

“I begged him not to go, I didn’t have a good feeling about it,” Lind said from her Glace Bay home. “He already went three times and was lucky to make it home those three times. We had a feeling something bad was going to happen this time. We didn’t want him to go.”

In a statement, Prime Minister Stephen Harper thanked Macneil for his service and said: "We are all saddened by this loss."

Governor General Michaëlle Jean released the following statement:

It was with great sadness that my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I learned of the death of Sergeant James Patrick Macneil of 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, based in Petawawa, Ontario. Sergeant Macneil was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on foot patrol, some 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar, in the Panjwa'i district.

Driven day after day by their sense of duty, the members of the Canadian Forces answer their country's call in response to Afghan security commitments undertaken by NATO-member countries, under the auspices of the United Nations. Sergeant Macneil was a dedicated participant in this most complex and perilous mission. We shall forever be indebted to him for the tremendous perseverance, courage, heroism and generosity that he exhibited. We shall not forget him.

I know that Canadians are as one in their desire to offer comfort and support to Sergeant Macneil's family, friends and brothers-in-arms. We join them in extending our deepest sympathies and condolences.

As of today, Canada has lost 148 soldiers in the war in Afghanistan since 2002.

We at Oye! Times humbly pay our respect to Sgt. James Macneil's family and the loved ones he left behind.

Please leave a comment or condolences for our fallen soldier.