MONCTON – Friends and family are mourning the death of Sgt. Andrew Joseph Doiron, 31, originally from Moncton.
Friend Marc Melanson said service to his country was Sgt. Doiron’s longtime dream – one he often spoke about.
“I think he knew how I felt about him and I think he knew what he meant to me,” Melanson said.
He says the two spent time together just over three weeks ago when Doiron was home in Moncton for a visit. Close friends since high school, Melanson said Doiron was on a mission to fight terrorism. Doiron eventually became a member of the Canadian Special Forces serving in Iraq.
“When he said he was going to do something he did it he followed through on it,” he said. “He knew he was there for a purpose and he believed in that purpose.”
He said the news of Doiron’s death has hit a close group of friends from home, hard.
“Part of me is okay because I know you know he was doing what he loved,” said Stephanie Chenard of Moncton.
She says she and Doiron were best friends in high school. After graduation, Doiron would write her letters about serving his country.
“He told me, ‘I just want you to know there is a possibility that I might get killed but I am okay with that cause I am doing what I love.'”
She described Doiron as a man of adventure who loved the outdoors and his family.
“Our son gave all and through his loss, we gave all,” his family said in a statement.
Chief of Defence Staff General Tom Lawson said he spoke directly to Doiron’s mother.
“She is very strong and very proud of her son. She knew that he was engaged in a very important operation and highly respected in doing it.”
There continues to be conflicting reports surrounding how Doiron was killed by friendly fire on Friday. But, back at home, his longtime friends simply want to remember him for how he lived.
“I am happy that he was able to live out his dream, not everybody gets to do that,” Chenard said.
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