Liberal Statement on the End of Canada’s Afghanistan Mission

March 12, 2014

VANCOUVER – Liberal National Defence Critic, Joyce Murray, issued the following statement today on the end of Canada’s 12-year military involvement in Afghanistan:

“Today, as our flag was lowered in Kabul, Canada’s military mission in Afghanistan has drawn to a close, and Canadian troops begin the journey home.

“All Canadians join in extending our appreciation and thanks to the brave women and men of the Canadian Forces, the RMCP, public servants, and civilians who served valiantly in Afghanistan. We also owe a great debt of gratitude to the families who supported their loved ones during deployments.

“All those who served have made enormous sacrifices during Canada’s largest military deployment since the Second World War. Canadian women and men carried out their duties with the utmost professionalism and distinction. We are immensely proud and grateful of their service to enhance peace, stability, and hope in a troubled region of the world.

“Most importantly, today we remember those individuals – both military and civilian – who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Afghanistan mission. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the 158 soldiers, civilian consultants, diplomat, and journalist who lost their lives in the line of duty. We also remember those who were injured and will forever bear the physical and invisible scars of their sacrifice.

“While Canada’s mission may have ended, our responsibilities do not. We, as a country, must take the best possible care of all those who have returned from Afghanistan.”