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A father honours his son - A fallen Hero

by albertacowpoke | September 16, 2009 at 12:05 pm

252 views | 25 Recommendations | 11 comments

Trooper Jack Bouthillier died in Afghanistan on March 20th this year. He was the victim of an IED, the weapon of choice of the Taliban.

In his honour his father had his truck painted to provide a mobile memorial to him along with the remainder of fallen heroes of the Afghanistan conflict.

4 Canadian Soldiers were killed outside of Khandahar City today in two separate IED incidents. Another 8 were wounded. Mcpl Scot Vernelli and Cpl Tyler Crooks were members of the Royal Canadian Regiment stationed in Petawa, Ontario. Trooper Jack Bouthillier and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes were members of the Royal Canadian Dragoons. All of the wounded soldiers are in stable condition and were able to call their families.

This brings the total up to 116 since the start of Canada.s involvement in Afghanistan.

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Spydermonkey

at 12:18 on September 16th, 2009

Its a nice paint job :)

I bet it cost a pretty penny

a211423

at 12:20 on September 16th, 2009

The devastation of losing a child is incomprehensible, and there can be no greater saddness in my opinion.

This father honors his son and others who have died in a most poignant and loving way.

albertacowpoke

at 12:20 on September 16th, 2009

It shows the respect that existed between father and son. Cost, I'm sure, was not a factor.

Spydermonkey

at 09:51 on September 17th, 2009

no doubt, & what ever the cost, I'm sure he considers it a good investment in the future:)

MilanSturgis

at 12:23 on September 16th, 2009

An extraordinary memorial for an extraordinary young man.

Barry Artiste

at 15:11 on September 16th, 2009

Most likely what any parent would do to honour their child, poor bastard, heartbreaking,

caj1

at 16:56 on September 16th, 2009

Unique, and poignant. Caj.

Babel-Fish

at 17:20 on September 16th, 2009

What annoys me is that sons and daughters are sent to battle fields to fight the battles for politicians and their puppet masters. Citizens are lied to, yes young men like this grieving parents son are indeed hero's but what a price to pay so oil and gas supply can be secured and one more country can be freed and placed into the hands of favorable elitist.

I do hope this memorial on wheels is not used to brain wash other young men to be hero's for their country run by a bunch of despot's. As Barry says its heart breaking and my heart goes out for all those that lose beloved offspring sent off to wars on behalf of the callous bastards that have no real care for their fellow citizens other they can be used to make them and their elitist cronies money or vote them into power.

Wouldn't it be nice, when there is no need for such memorials in a world where peace rules. But sadly we humans are gulible and the greedy will always use that factor to get what they want. Its so damn sad...

albertacowpoke

at 18:04 on September 16th, 2009

I see this mobile memorial in two ways:

1. It honours a son that believed in the mission he was involved in. Most Canadian soldiers believe that they are making a difference. Politics taken aside, I see guys and gals going back for second and third tours, although they have the option to take their release after three years service.

2. This memorial is a reminder to the public that sees it, that this war is not without cost. Canada's three national networks have actually done a great job in reporting each and every casualty. They have broadcast the ramp ceremony at Khandahar airfield, the arrival in Trenton Ontario, if the family permits it and in some cases the funeral.

As casualties are moved from Trenton, Ontario to the Coroner in Toronto, Highway 101, now called the Highway of Heroes is ligned by the public to pay respect. This includes policemen and firemen.

It is indeed sad, but in Canada we make each and every casualty public.