Canadian Soldier chosen CP Newsmaker of 2006
Updated Mon. Dec. 25 2006 11:42 PM ET Canadian Press
Article Link
MAS'UM GHAR, Afghanistan -- Standing at an observation post in the heart of Taliban country, Pte. Conrad Craig of Edmonton was in a reflective mood on what it means to be a Canadian soldier.
The 23-year-old member of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is keenly aware of the changing status for the Canadian soldier in the eyes of Canadians and the world. Their mission in Afghanistan and the sacrifices they have endured have put Canadian troops at the forefront of public attention.
"I've always been proud to be a Canadian soldier,'' said Craig, looking through binoculars for possible threats among the lush-green grape orchards in the restive district west of Kandahar city. "Always will be and even if I ever do get out, I'll always be a Canadian soldier.''
The men and women of the Canadian Forces have dominated news coverage in 2006 and as such, editors and broadcasters across the country have chosen the Canadian Soldier as Canada's Newsmaker of the Year in the annual poll by The Canadian Press and Broadcast News.
"The issue of Canada's involvement in Afghanistan has been on the lips, and in the hearts, of Canadians all year,'' said Gary MacDougall, managing editor of the Charlottetown Guardian, in explaining his newsmaker choice.
"The sight of flag-draped caskets bearing the bodies of brave, young Canadian men and women is not one Canadians are accustomed to. On the one hand Canadians are proud of the actions of their military, and on the other hand confused at how we suddenly become embroiled in such a violent conflict.''
Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier was pleased when informed about the choice for Newsmaker of the Year.
"The mere fact that anybody would even consider . . . the Canadian soldier, and I use the soldier in the most generic term -- air, land and sea -- because they're all there in Afghanistan, reflects the fact that Canadians have really realized the importance of the Canadian Forces, the role that it plays in our society, how it helps protect Canadian interests, at home, around the continent and internationally.
"I think it's an incredible compliment to Canadian soldiers.''
It's only the second time in the 60-year history of the CP-BN Newsmaker of the Year survey that the nation's newsrooms have made a symbolic selection over a specific person. In 1992, the voters chose the constitutional referendum on the Meech Lake accord.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper was the runner-up in the 2006 survey, garnering 52 votes to the 73 cast for the Canadian soldier. Maher Arar, the Syrian-born Canadian who was deported to his native country and tortured as a result of faulty information passed on from the RCMP to U.S. officials, came in third with 29 votes.
Many of those who picked this year's Newsmaker of the Year said they did so because of the changing image of the Canadian soldier as a result of the conflict in Afghanistan.
"For the first time in a generation Canadian soldiers are being recruited, trained and sent to a war zone,'' said Jim Poling, managing editor of the Hamilton Spectator. "This story is a new chapter in Canadian history and the implications are broad and dramatic. It is a cross-generational story.''
Added Bill Scriven, managing editor of the Sentinel Review in Woodstock, Ont.: "Canadians have made it clear that while they do not support the war in Afghanistan, they proudly support the efforts of the Canadian troops.''
Just a few years ago, supporters of Canada's military felt they were in an uphill battle for public recognition.
The fighting force that distinguished itself with bravery and tenacity in the Second World War and in Korea had in subsequent decades taken on the role of an international peacekeeper. But the Canadian Forces has had to struggle to remain effective in the face of multimillion-dollar budget cuts from a succession of governments.
That began to change on Sept. 11, 2001.
The stunning attacks on the United States by Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida organization prompted a military response. Within months, Canadian troops were in Afghanistan as part of the U.S.-led coalition which toppled the Taliban government that had offered sanctuary to al-Qaida terror training camps.
Vote totals
Results of poll in the 2006 Canadian Press, Broadcast News poll to determine Canada's Newsmaker of the Year:
Canadian Soldier, 73
Stephen Harper, 52
Maher Arar, 29
Stephane Dion, 7
Cindy Klassen, 7
Kimveer Gill, 4
Belinda Stronach, 2
Giuliano Zaccardelli, 1
---Canadian PressBut Taliban insurgents held areas where their influence is deep-rooted -- such as Kandahar province, where most of Canada's 2,500 troops are deployed. Canada found itself taking on more of a leadership role, and its military slowly started building its new reputation.
Over the past year, Canadian troops have led the battle against the Taliban, spearheading Operation Medusa on the insurgents' home turf. The fighting resulted in the largest number of Canadian battlefield casualties since the Korean War, keeping Canadians riveted to developments in Afghanistan.
Forty-four Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan since 2002, but 36 of those deaths came in the last year. The sudden increase in deaths has changed the image of Canadian troops from those of traditional peacekeeping to a combat army.
Canadians battling Taliban insurgents are reluctant to brag about their accomplishments. They show pride only when talking about fellow soldiers or about their jobs.
"I adore it. There's nothing I would rather do than be in the Canadian army,'' said Sgt. Abdul Guindo of Quebec City, who has encountered more than a dozen attacks by the Taliban and suicide bombers while on convoy duty.
He said it's time Canadians get over their obsession with peacekeeping and accept that Canadian troops are now at war.
"We've been recognized as a fighting force, which we've always been, but we got out of the peacekeeper mentality,'' Guindo said. "Yes, we are peacekeepers but we are soldiers first. And at times you have to soldier on and then be a peacekeeper.''
Soldiers say fighting the Taliban is a badge of honour, combined with the attempts to help with the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
"No one in their right mind wants to actually get into a firefight, but you do what you have to do and everything works out,'' Pte. Craig said.
"This is what we do. I would like us to be able to keep doing what we've been doing. Humanitarian aid and getting the people on our side,'' he said.
"It's absolutely worth it. If nobody's helping it's all going to go downhill from here,'' chipped in Master Cpl. Jon Weiss, 32, of Winnipeg.
Recognition of the Canadian soldier has captured the imagination of people at home.
Remembrance Day ceremonies have been crowded with both veterans and the younger generation, who are experiencing the loss of war through news reports and ramp ceremonies that send fallen soldiers home.
There is a move afoot to have Canadians adopt "Red Fridays,'' which began at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ont., where people wear the colour red to recognize Canadian troops. Curlers at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts have been asked to wear red to honour Canadian troops at the national women's curling championship in Lethbridge, Alta., in February.
Watching the valour of his troops on the battlefield is the head of the Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, Lt.-Gen. Mike Gauthier.
"Afghanistan has been an illuminating point. This is unlike anything a Canadian soldier has experienced since Korea,'' Gauthier said on a visit to Kandahar.
"The mission here is about rebuilding a nation,'' Gauthier said.
"This is history in the making and it's not just Afghan history. It's Canadian history that is being written. These are historic times for Canadian soldiers -- historic times for Canada.''
End
Updated Mon. Dec. 25 2006 11:42 PM ET Canadian Press
Article Link
MAS'UM GHAR, Afghanistan -- Standing at an observation post in the heart of Taliban country, Pte. Conrad Craig of Edmonton was in a reflective mood on what it means to be a Canadian soldier.
The 23-year-old member of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is keenly aware of the changing status for the Canadian soldier in the eyes of Canadians and the world. Their mission in Afghanistan and the sacrifices they have endured have put Canadian troops at the forefront of public attention.
"I've always been proud to be a Canadian soldier,'' said Craig, looking through binoculars for possible threats among the lush-green grape orchards in the restive district west of Kandahar city. "Always will be and even if I ever do get out, I'll always be a Canadian soldier.''
The men and women of the Canadian Forces have dominated news coverage in 2006 and as such, editors and broadcasters across the country have chosen the Canadian Soldier as Canada's Newsmaker of the Year in the annual poll by The Canadian Press and Broadcast News.
"The issue of Canada's involvement in Afghanistan has been on the lips, and in the hearts, of Canadians all year,'' said Gary MacDougall, managing editor of the Charlottetown Guardian, in explaining his newsmaker choice.
"The sight of flag-draped caskets bearing the bodies of brave, young Canadian men and women is not one Canadians are accustomed to. On the one hand Canadians are proud of the actions of their military, and on the other hand confused at how we suddenly become embroiled in such a violent conflict.''
Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier was pleased when informed about the choice for Newsmaker of the Year.
"The mere fact that anybody would even consider . . . the Canadian soldier, and I use the soldier in the most generic term -- air, land and sea -- because they're all there in Afghanistan, reflects the fact that Canadians have really realized the importance of the Canadian Forces, the role that it plays in our society, how it helps protect Canadian interests, at home, around the continent and internationally.
"I think it's an incredible compliment to Canadian soldiers.''
It's only the second time in the 60-year history of the CP-BN Newsmaker of the Year survey that the nation's newsrooms have made a symbolic selection over a specific person. In 1992, the voters chose the constitutional referendum on the Meech Lake accord.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper was the runner-up in the 2006 survey, garnering 52 votes to the 73 cast for the Canadian soldier. Maher Arar, the Syrian-born Canadian who was deported to his native country and tortured as a result of faulty information passed on from the RCMP to U.S. officials, came in third with 29 votes.
Many of those who picked this year's Newsmaker of the Year said they did so because of the changing image of the Canadian soldier as a result of the conflict in Afghanistan.
"For the first time in a generation Canadian soldiers are being recruited, trained and sent to a war zone,'' said Jim Poling, managing editor of the Hamilton Spectator. "This story is a new chapter in Canadian history and the implications are broad and dramatic. It is a cross-generational story.''
Added Bill Scriven, managing editor of the Sentinel Review in Woodstock, Ont.: "Canadians have made it clear that while they do not support the war in Afghanistan, they proudly support the efforts of the Canadian troops.''
Just a few years ago, supporters of Canada's military felt they were in an uphill battle for public recognition.
The fighting force that distinguished itself with bravery and tenacity in the Second World War and in Korea had in subsequent decades taken on the role of an international peacekeeper. But the Canadian Forces has had to struggle to remain effective in the face of multimillion-dollar budget cuts from a succession of governments.
That began to change on Sept. 11, 2001.
The stunning attacks on the United States by Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida organization prompted a military response. Within months, Canadian troops were in Afghanistan as part of the U.S.-led coalition which toppled the Taliban government that had offered sanctuary to al-Qaida terror training camps.
Vote totals
Results of poll in the 2006 Canadian Press, Broadcast News poll to determine Canada's Newsmaker of the Year:
Canadian Soldier, 73
Stephen Harper, 52
Maher Arar, 29
Stephane Dion, 7
Cindy Klassen, 7
Kimveer Gill, 4
Belinda Stronach, 2
Giuliano Zaccardelli, 1
---Canadian PressBut Taliban insurgents held areas where their influence is deep-rooted -- such as Kandahar province, where most of Canada's 2,500 troops are deployed. Canada found itself taking on more of a leadership role, and its military slowly started building its new reputation.
Over the past year, Canadian troops have led the battle against the Taliban, spearheading Operation Medusa on the insurgents' home turf. The fighting resulted in the largest number of Canadian battlefield casualties since the Korean War, keeping Canadians riveted to developments in Afghanistan.
Forty-four Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan since 2002, but 36 of those deaths came in the last year. The sudden increase in deaths has changed the image of Canadian troops from those of traditional peacekeeping to a combat army.
Canadians battling Taliban insurgents are reluctant to brag about their accomplishments. They show pride only when talking about fellow soldiers or about their jobs.
"I adore it. There's nothing I would rather do than be in the Canadian army,'' said Sgt. Abdul Guindo of Quebec City, who has encountered more than a dozen attacks by the Taliban and suicide bombers while on convoy duty.
He said it's time Canadians get over their obsession with peacekeeping and accept that Canadian troops are now at war.
"We've been recognized as a fighting force, which we've always been, but we got out of the peacekeeper mentality,'' Guindo said. "Yes, we are peacekeepers but we are soldiers first. And at times you have to soldier on and then be a peacekeeper.''
Soldiers say fighting the Taliban is a badge of honour, combined with the attempts to help with the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
"No one in their right mind wants to actually get into a firefight, but you do what you have to do and everything works out,'' Pte. Craig said.
"This is what we do. I would like us to be able to keep doing what we've been doing. Humanitarian aid and getting the people on our side,'' he said.
"It's absolutely worth it. If nobody's helping it's all going to go downhill from here,'' chipped in Master Cpl. Jon Weiss, 32, of Winnipeg.
Recognition of the Canadian soldier has captured the imagination of people at home.
Remembrance Day ceremonies have been crowded with both veterans and the younger generation, who are experiencing the loss of war through news reports and ramp ceremonies that send fallen soldiers home.
There is a move afoot to have Canadians adopt "Red Fridays,'' which began at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ont., where people wear the colour red to recognize Canadian troops. Curlers at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts have been asked to wear red to honour Canadian troops at the national women's curling championship in Lethbridge, Alta., in February.
Watching the valour of his troops on the battlefield is the head of the Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, Lt.-Gen. Mike Gauthier.
"Afghanistan has been an illuminating point. This is unlike anything a Canadian soldier has experienced since Korea,'' Gauthier said on a visit to Kandahar.
"The mission here is about rebuilding a nation,'' Gauthier said.
"This is history in the making and it's not just Afghan history. It's Canadian history that is being written. These are historic times for Canadian soldiers -- historic times for Canada.''
End
