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2009, March 20, Master Corporal Scott Francis Vernelli, 3RCR Afghanistan

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« on: May 01, 2009, 08:28:01 am »



Master Corporal Scott Francis Vernelli was killed on March 20, 2009, when an improvised explosive device detonated near him during a dismounted patrol in Zhari District, west of Kandahar City.

MCpl Vernelli was a member of November Company, 3rd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group. His home unit is the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.

Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF-Afg) is the Canadian Forces (CF) contribution to the international effort in Afghanistan. Its operations focus on working with Afghan authorities to improve security, governance and economic development in Afghanistan.

JTF-Afg comprises about 2,830 CF members. Most of them serve at Kandahar Airfield or Camp Nathan Smith, the home of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Kandahar City. Members of JTF-Afg also work at various military headquarters and support bases in southwest Asia, and with civilian organizations in Afghanistan.

                          
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1977-1RCR  Italy PL, B Coy, Mortars
                   Pioneers, Delta Coy
                   CFB London

1979-3RCR  M Coy 12C,  Sigs, Pipes&Drums
                   Mortars
                   CFB Baden WG

1982 1RCR  Mortars 51B, Dukes, BBC (Cyp)
                   Mortars, WO-Sgts Mess,
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2008            President. Niagara Branch
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« Reply #1 on: May 01, 2009, 08:29:36 am »

                             
Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, on the Deaths of...

Posted : Fri, 20 Mar 2009 22:43:38 GMT

Author : Governor General of Canada

OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- 03/20/09 -- My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I are sorry and deeply saddened to learn that four members of the Canadian Forces and the Afghan interpreter accompanying them were killed, and eight of their comrades in arms wounded under tragic circumstances in Afghanistan. Master Corporal Scott Francis Vernelli, member of the 3rd Battalion, and Corporal Tyler Crooks, member of the 1st Battalion, were from The Royal Canadian Regiment. Troopers Jack Bouthillier and Corey Joseph Hayes were both from The Royal Canadian Dragoons.

The violence that our troops face in Afghanistan is staggering and a cruel reminder of the risks they face during the perilous operations of this demanding and dangerous mission. We recognize the immense courage of those women and men who have chosen to serve in the Forces and who are willing to make any sacrifice to bring security to a population in danger. For this, they have our utmost respect.

Our sincerest condolences go out to the families and friends who are mourning the loss of their loved ones, and I offer my deepest sympathies to their comrades in arms. Our thoughts are also with the wounded soldiers, to whom we wish a speedy recovery, and to their families and friends, who are concerned for their well-being.

To all members of the Canadian Forces who are continuing the mission in Afghanistan by giving the very best of themselves, we would like to express our profound gratitude. Know that you are not alone in your grief and remain uppermost in our thoughts.

Michaelle Jean

****



Prime minister's statement

By David Helwig
SooToday.com
Friday, March 20, 2009
NEWS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE
PRIME MINISTER

*************************
Statement of the prime minister

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today on the deaths of four Canadian soldiers:

“It was with profound sorrow that I learned of the deaths of Master Corporal Scott Francis Vernelli [shown], Trooper Jack Bouthillier, Corporal Tyler Crooks, and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes, who died in two separate attacks today in Afghanistan.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones as they deal with this tragic loss. I join with all Canadians in wishing a prompt and full recovery to the other eight soldiers injured in these incidents.

"My thoughts are also with family of the Afghan interpreter who lost his life in one of the attacks.

"The sacrifices being made to help stabilize southern Afghanistan are not in vain. I am proud of our military men and women, their supporting families, and all those Canadians who have served their country in this vital mission.

"The commitment to make Afghanistan a better place to live, demonstrated on a daily basis by the brave men and women of the Canadian Forces, is a testament to the values respected and revered by all Canadians.

"Canadians, and the Government of Canada, stand proudly in support of our Canadian Forces members as they strive to bring safety and stability back to Afghanistan. Master Corporal Vernelli, Trooper Bouthillier, Corporal Crooks, and Trooper Hayes’ sacrifice will not be forgotten.”


Mar 20, 2009 18:55 ET
Statement by the Minister of National Defence on the Death of Four Canadian Soldiers

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 20, 2009) - The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, issued the following statement today on the deaths of four Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan:

"It is with utmost sorrow that I extend my condolences, and those of all Canadians, to the friends, families, and colleagues of Master Corporal Scott Francis Vernelli, Corporal Tyler Crooks, Trooper Jack Bouthillier, and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes, who were killed today in two separate IED attacks in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of grief.

These brave soldiers were participating in a joint operation in Kandahar province during the time of the incidents.

My sympathies also go to the eight other brave soldiers who were injured in the same attacks. We are thinking of you and your families during this difficult time. Our condolences also go to the family of the Afghan interpreter who lost his life in one of the incidents.

These dedicated soldiers were doing their part to ensure that Afghanistan will one day achieve and maintain peace and stability. Their loss was not in vain and Canada and the Canadian Forces are committed to this UN-sanctioned, NATO-led mission.

The Canadian Forces family and Canadians everywhere will remain forever grateful for their sacrifice.

Master Corporal Vernelli is a member of the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment and Corporal Tyler Crooks is a member of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa. Trooper Bouthillier and Trooper Hayes are members of The Royal Canadian Dragoons based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.
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1977-1RCR  Italy PL, B Coy, Mortars
                   Pioneers, Delta Coy
                   CFB London

1979-3RCR  M Coy 12C,  Sigs, Pipes&Drums
                   Mortars
                   CFB Baden WG

1982 1RCR  Mortars 51B, Dukes, BBC (Cyp)
                   Mortars, WO-Sgts Mess,
                   CFB London

2008            President. Niagara Branch
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« Reply #2 on: May 01, 2009, 08:30:15 am »

Ontario soldier killed in Afghanistan dies on birthday; another had young daughter
By THE CANADIAN PRESS
   

                       

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. — The father of one of four Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan on Friday said his son was intent on helping the Afghan people achieve freedom and democracy and did his family proud.

Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli, 28, of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., and Cpl. Tyler Crooks, 24, of Port Colborne, Ont., were killed by an improvised explosive device while on foot patrol in the Zhari district. Both soldiers were members of November Company, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, based in Petawawa, Ont.

Hours later, troopers Jack Bouthillier and Corey Joseph Hayes, both of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, were killed in a roadside bomb blast in the Shah Wali Kot district northeast of the city.

Vernelli’s father Chuck said he and other family members are “really proud” of his son, who is survived by his wife Marcie and six-month-old daughter Olivia.

“Scott was proud to serve his country. It was an ambition he looked at with great pride and respect,” he said.

“He always knew the danger but he also knew what it meant to the people he was helping.

“His main reason (to be in Afghanistan) was to help them achieve freedom and democracy.”

Vernelli’s wife Marcie said in a statement her husband’s passion for family and his friends “was an inspiration to all who were lucky to be in his life.”

“His friends will hold him close in their hearts forever and they will never forget his sarcastic but genuine sense of humour; his impeccable sense of style and his perfectly coiffed hair,” she said.

“Although his death is tragic, Scotty would want his family, friends and community to continue supporting his fellow soldiers and to celebrate his life.”

Crooks was killed on his 24th birthday, and Port Colborne Mayor Vance Badawey said it’s a tragic loss for the community.

Badawey, a friend of the Crooks family, said the soldier was “a young man who put his community and his country above himself.”

“To lose a young man like this, on his 24th birthday, is hard to take,” Badawey said.

Capt. Andrew Hennessy, a public affairs officer with the military, knew both Vernelli and Crooks personally and said it’s always difficult for soldiers to lose their comrades.

“Everybody handles the loss of a soldier — whether they knew them or not — in their own way, I try to remember who they were as a person, what I knew of them and make sure I talk about them,” Hennessy said.

“It’s really difficult to hear (when soldiers die) but we all have a job to do...and they all believed in their job, just like the guys who are here back in Canada who have been before or are going.”

“We’re all part of a bigger family and it’s tough but we have a job to do and we all understand that and it’s something that unites us for a sense of purpose.”

The Afghan ambassador to Ottawa, Omar Samad, told CTV Newsnet that Canada’s military mission is essential, even if public support for it is waning.

“If (people) know what the consequences might be if we don’t turn this around, then maybe you’ll have a better understanding (of its importance) and maybe the support will continue, that’s my wish,” he said.

“But it’s, of course, very difficult when tragedy strikes to overcome the emotions.”

In a statement, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said his thoughts are with the family and friends of the soldiers who died.

“The sacrifices being made to help stabilize southern Afghanistan are not in vain. I am proud of our military men and women, their supporting families and all those Canadians who have served their country in this vital mission,” Harper said.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff also passed along his condolences in a statement.

“The loss of these four brave men while serving in the line of duty reminds us of the dangerous work undertaken by all of the men and women in our Armed Forces,” he said.

“Their dedication has earned them the respect and admiration of all Canadians who recognize the sacrifices they make each day in order to bring safety and security to the people of Afghanistan.”

The four deaths Friday bring to 116 the number of Canadian soldiers who have died as part of the Afghan mission since it began in 2002.

(Sault Star, St. Catharines Standard)

March 20, 2009
Statement from Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff on the deaths of four Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan
Today, I join all Canadians in mourning the tragic loss of four soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

Master Corporal Scott Francis Vernelli, 28, and Corporal Tyler Crooks, 24, were members of November Company, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment. Both lost their lives in an explosion just west of Kandahar that also injured five of their fellow soldiers.

Trooper Jack Bouthillier, 20, and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes, 22, belonged to the Royal Canadian Dragoons. They were killed by a roadside bomb while travelling in a vehicle northwest of Kandahar. Three other soldiers were also injured in that same explosion.
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1977-1RCR  Italy PL, B Coy, Mortars
                   Pioneers, Delta Coy
                   CFB London

1979-3RCR  M Coy 12C,  Sigs, Pipes&Drums
                   Mortars
                   CFB Baden WG

1982 1RCR  Mortars 51B, Dukes, BBC (Cyp)
                   Mortars, WO-Sgts Mess,
                   CFB London

2008            President. Niagara Branch
                   The Royal Canadian Regiment
                           Association

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