It is difficult to open today’s paper and see the photo’s from yesterday’s service at CFB Gagetown honouring eight soldiers killed in Afghanistan this month. 

Further reading of our national newspapers reveals little mention of those men and women who have lost their lives serving our country.  Instead, The Toronto Star, The National Post and The Globe and Mail, all draw their attention to the Afghan detainee affair and the political backlash it has caused.

Then I was reminded of the many good things our military is doing in Afghanistan.

As part of the UN mission our troops are helping reinforce the authority of the Afghan government in the Kandahar province. As part of an international community, our forces have been rebuilding Afghanistan’s infrastructure, institutions, government and army. And at the request of the Afghan government, our forces are helping to build a stable, democratic and self-sufficient society.  

The men and women that serve in the Canadian Armed Forces deserve our support for the difficult and often life threatening work they do. 

That is why the National Citizens Coalition started the Support Our Troops Trust Fund.  In less than a year, this fund has raised over $30,000 for the children and families of our fallen soldiers.

Whether you show support by contributing to this fund, or by wearing something red each Friday, together we can show the men and women serving our country that we appreciate all that they do.