Easter in Kandahar

Hundreds of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan observed Easter, the holiest day in the Christian calendar, Sunday morning afer a week in which the country’s ongoing conflict claimed one of their comrades.

At a Roman Catholic mass at Kandahar Airfield, Canadian and American priests delivered messages of comfort to the men and women fighting a world away from their families. “On many occasions people are saing is this really worth it, is it really this important,” said Father Jim Conolloy, an American priest. “And my basic hope is that I can help them come to a sense that yes, it is important, it does matter because every single one of us count . . . yes their sacrifice does matter, it does make a difference. It’s hard to see that in the eternal scheme of things, but it is nonetheless important.” Father Bastien Leclerc reflected upon the losses shared among the coalition forces fighting throughout the central Asian country. “It’s not only the Canadians, or Americans or Romanians this week,” he said, referring to various nationalities of four ISAF soldiers killed last week. “We’re all in this together, and we all pray together, and we keep up with each other.” Sgt. Jason Boyes, 32, was killed last Sunday by an explosive device while on foot patrol. The Napanee, Ont. resident was on his third tour of duty, and was the 81st Canadian killed in the war.

Many of the soldiers’ thoughts were with their fallen comrades and their families at home.

“I am very thankful I have the support I do from my family, otherwise I couldn’t do the job I am doing here,” said Cpt. Robert Szpak.

Cpl. Robert Lehnen spoke of a simpler Easter at home in Ontario. “I’d probably be having dinner with my mother, and we’d have our little Easter egg hunt, and then I’d visit my brother,” he said.

With files from Lauren McNabb