A social worker at CFB Edmonton is sharing her personal story of war and loss in a documentary set to air Friday night.
Former platoon leader Capt. Ashley Collette was 26 years old when she led a platoon of soldiers into an isolated area of Afghanistan in 2010.
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Their duty at the time was to protect a village, while also protecting themselves from the enemy and the constant threat of hidden improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Her story, along with several others, makes up the documentary I AM WAR, which airs on the History Channel Canada. The History Channel, along with Global News, is a part of parent company Corus Entertainment Inc.
Collette’s story is shown through combat footage from her time in Afghanistan.
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It’s hoped sharing these personal stories of war will encourage more conversation at home, with Collette saying post-traumatic stress disorder doesn’t have to be a life sentence.
“A lot of guys I deployed with are willing to talk if we’re willing to ask the questions,” Collette said.
The documentary may also help others, like friends and relatives, come to grips with war.
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“I think it’s hard to ask the tough questions about what it’s like to be a human being in war,” she said.
I AM WAR airs Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. MT.
WATCH: Capt. Mary Anne Barber discusses History’s new documentary “I am War” which takes a personal look at the men and women who fought in Afghanistan with Canadian Forces.
— With files from Kendra Slugoski, Global News
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