GG and MacKay spend Christmas with troops in Afghanistan

By QMI Agency

Posted 7 hours ago

Canadian troops and civilians serving overseas got a special Christmas visit from a white-haired man.

Governor General David Johnston travelled to Italy and Afghanistan over Christmas to personally thank our representatives abroad.

He was joined by Defence Minister Peter MacKay, Liberal Leader Bob Rae and Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Walt Natynczyk,

"It was a privilege to extend my heartfelt gratitude and support to the Canadian men and women in uniform, and the many diplomats, aid specialists and police officers deployed abroad, who are committed to making parts of the world a safer and better place," Johnston said. "The sacrifice of troops and civilians who are away from their families and friends at this time of the year is tremendous, and I wish them the best of luck in the completion of their missions."

In Rome, the GG met with troops on the HMCS Vancouver and acknowledged their efforts in the NATO-led mission in Libya that led to that country's liberation in October.

After attending the state funeral of Vaclav Havel, former president of the Czech Republic, Johnston went on to Kabul, where he met with the Afghan president Hamid Karzai.

He later stopped in at the Armed Forces Academy of Medical Sciences, where Canadian Forces medical personnel are mentoring Afghan medical staff. Then he visited with troops at Camp Alamo, Camp Blackhorse and Canada House, where Canadian performers put on a Christmas concert.

Canada ended its 10-year combat mission in Afghanistan earlier this year, but Canadian troops are still in the country in a training capacity until 2014.

"And we are continuing to provide essential development programming in the areas of health and education, humanitarian assistance, as well as promoting regional diplomacy," said Rae.

"All Canadians should be proud of the work they are doing as we continue our efforts to bring peace, stability and hope to a troubled region of the world."

MacKay, in his message to the troops, lauded their hard work in Afghanistan as well as many other accomplishments of the past year:

"You supported the Jamaica Defence Force by assisting with their search-and-rescue capability during the hurricane season, contributed to peace in the Middle East, Africa and Europe, and saved hundreds of lives during this year's wildfires and floods that damaged many Canadian communities," he said.

"Your country knows how very special your work is to Canada's security and prosperity."

MacKay also met with his counterparts in both countries, Minister Giampaolo Di Paola of Italy and Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak of Afghanistan.

Source: http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3416715

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