EDMONTON – For the final time, Canadian Armed Forces members arrived home in Edmonton from Afghanistan around 6:15 Tuesday evening.
Of the 84 soldiers who returned to Canada Tuesday, 26 call Edmonton home.
“We’re going home,” said Cpt. Ryan Cooper, an Edmonton father of two girls, who returned from his fourth tour in Afghanistan.
“No, it never gets easier,” he said of leaving his family. “In fact, it probably gets harder as you go on.”
“You start becoming more aware that the family is left behind back here without you, and you’re actually missing that time. So I’d say that probably gets harder.”
Several dignitaries, including Edmonton MP Laurie Hawn, Premier Alison Redford, and Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, greeted them at the Edmonton International Airport.
While Cooper is glad to be back with his family, he said he’d “absolutely” serve overseas again.
“It’s more of a calling for us. For us to sit there and serve our country – it’s our piece to give back to the people of Canada. In addition to that is that there are people out there who are worse off than we ever will be.”
“We’ve got to basically come up to the social plate and … actually contribute,” said Cooper.
“A good memory of Afghanistan is actually being able to see the change. That’s the biggest thing.”
Cooper’s first tour in Afghanistan was in 2005.
“The change is measurable in Kabul, you can see the change.”
Lt.-Col. Eric Boucher was returning from his second tour in Afghanistan.
“I’ve seen big differences between 2007 and our last tour there.”
“A lot more confidence in the Afghan national security forces. They’re certainly capable of doing a lot now, it’s in their hands, we’ll see how things unfold in the next little while as they approach the election.”
Part of Boucher’s job was to help train the Afghan forces and to set up schools in the region.
Upon their arrival, soldiers were be escorted by police to the Edmonton Garrison.
The Edmonton Police Service temporarily blocked merging lanes on the Anthony Henday West heading north between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The traffic changes were done to make sure the troops can reunite with their loved ones as quickly as possible.
Boucher’s wife and two kids will have to wait a little longer, since he has to fly to B.C. to see them.
“They’re looking forward to seeing my face in the next little while,” he said with a smile.
“As soon as I can finish answering questions and get over there.”
READ MORE: Photos, video of Canadian troops welcomed home from Afghanistan
Edmonton Fire Rescue Service members were also stationed at various points along the route to welcome the CF members home.
While the Canadian military is heartened by the response Canadians have given returning troops, it discouraged Edmontonians from lining the Anthony Henday in anticaipation of the soldiers’ arrival.
An Edmonton Garrison spokesperson said road conditions, the time of day, increased dust and the low-setting sun already make driving on the Henday challenging, and increased activity along the road could create more distractions.
Instead, the Edmonton Garrison asked Edmontonians show their support Tuesday by posting well wishes on social media (using the Twitter account @3CdnDiv, hashtags #WelcomeHomeTroops or #FirstInLastOut or on their Facebook account ) or by tying a yellow ribbon around a tree in their yard or on their vehicle antenna.
The Canadians formally lowered their flag in Kabul last week, marking the end of a mission that began with the deployment of some special forces soldiers in late 2001.
In addition to the 158 military dead, a Canadian diplomat, a journalist and two civilian contractors were also killed.
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