Pte Josh Klukie, 1RCR - 29 Sept 06

[dglad]

Another loss for a family, friends and loved ones...for the Army, the CF and Canada...and for this city.  This is Thunder Bay's third son to be lost to enemy action in Afghanistan.

RIP.

 

[big bad john]

Here is a place where you can leave a message of condolences for Pte. Josh klukie. 

http://www.legacy.com/Can/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=19415468

 

[The Bread Guy]

Detais of Pte. Klukie's funeral, from the funeral home web page:
http://www.sargentandson.com/obituaries_display.asp?ID=586

Private Joshua Klukie
Wednesday, February 16, 1983 - Friday, September 29, 2006
Birth Place: Thunder Bay 

Funeral Service 
Location: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 207 Brodie Street S. 
Date: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 
Time: 11:00am 
Interment 
Location: Sunset Memorial Gardens 
Date: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 

Another spot to share condolences with Pte. Klukie's family:
http://www.sargentandson.com/condolences.asp?DN=Private%20Joshua%20Klukie

 

[old medic]

http://66.244.236.251/article_9010.php

Soldier’s death has youngsters talking
By BY SARAH ELIZABETH BROWN
Oct 6, 2006, 23:33

Two area schools are remembering one of their own.
A book of condolences is filling up at Hillcrest High School for Pte. Josh Klukie.
As well, the 23-year-old soldier’s photo will be included in the Stairwell of Honour, a collection of 84 Hillcrest graduates who never returned from the Second World War.
Klukie’s photo will be number 85. He’s the 37th Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan since 2002, and the third from the Thunder Bay area.
He was killed a week ago after stepping on an anti-tank mine while on patrol near Kandahar.
At McKenzie Public School in Shuniah where Klukie attended junior kindergarten through Grade 8, classes are discussing the conflict in Afghanistan and what it means to be a soldier.
They’re writing their thoughts in an album for Klukie’s family.
It’s a McKenzie school tradition for graduating students to decorate a ceiling tile. A young Shuniah artist will paint one specifically for Klukie, to be unveiled on Remembrance Day.
“Once you’re a McKenzie kid and you go out in the world, we don’t forget you,” said Lynne Robertson, the school’s chief custodian and a driving force behind the memorial project. “We don’t forget our own.”
Four of those McKenzie kids broke into debate among themselves Thursday about Canada’s role in Afghanistan, voicing the same variety of opinions heard in the House of Commons and read in letters to the editor pages.
But, they agreed, it’s sad a fellow McKenzie kid has died overseas, and Remembrance Day — always important to them, the boys said — will mean even more now.
“It’s a little bit of this place gone,” said Dustin Hurd, 11.
“I think they are really brave,” said Kristjan Paarsalu, 10, about soldiers. “I think we need to respect them.”
Several of the boys said they’re sad for Klukie’s Shuniah family, mother Carol and elder brothers Daniel and David.
“I feel sorry for the family because their son died, not even having a chance to save himself,” said Aaron Smith, 11.
“I’m sorry for your son and I hope you’re going to be all right without him,” said Cody Huls, 11, about what he plans to write for the Klukies.
Calling soldiers “brave,” Huls added, “I hope they know they might never come back.”
“He’s not going over there to help our country, but people over there who are worse off than us,” said Hurd.

When Klukie joined the military, he asked Hillcrest co-op teacher Trish Somerleigh to write a reference letter.
Though he’d finished paramedic training, it didn’t surprise Somerleigh that the competitive young man she knew since boyhood would be attracted to a challenge.
He was also a volunteer firefighter with the Shuniah department, noted Robertson.
“He was always a protector,” she said.
As a youngster, he saw other students bullied in the schoolyard and walked over to talk to the victims, sending a silent message that had the tormentor slinking away.
“He’s a leader by example,” said Somerleigh, recalling the young man’s inner strength after his father Reg died.
“That’s a tremendously difficult thing for a young person to go through, and Josh, he maintained his academics, he maintained his sports, he was consistently supportive of his mother, supportive of his brothers,” she said. “He was generally just a very strong, good person.”
Klukie was one of two exceptional basketball captains, and was the sort of leader who made coaching easy, said Hillcrest coach Wayne Magill.
During running drills at basketball practice, “Josh was the guy to catch,” said Magill. “He was extremely skilled.”
At a prestigious tournament in Saskatoon, before Hillcrest played the game that would determine third and fourth place, Klukie asked his coaches if they could be sure that all the teammates got to play.
Klukie, an inch or two over six feet, played small forward.
But he played even bigger.
“In the unfriendly confines of our small gym, the walls come very quickly,” said Magill. “And Josh is the reason why we have mats on those walls.
“He’s very fast and he would take that ball to the hoop very hard.”
The team’s starting play — shovel the ball to the left-handed Klukie to fake a shot and drive hard to the basket — was pretty much two guaranteed points, said Magill.
“He could run forever.”
Somerleigh last saw Klukie when he was home for the summer, knowing he was headed to Afghanistan.
Walking with her husband, she saw a person running down a small hill toward them, “but didn’t recognize him because he was so big and so strong, but you could see this powerful person running toward us. And this was Josh. He was preparing to go overseas. He’d been lifting weights and running. That was just him.”
As a boy, Klukie would play basketball on a strip of old highway along Lakeshore Drive where a neighbour had put up nets.
“You’d hear the thump, thump, thumping of the ball as Josh went by. He would spend literally hours practising.
“He just honed his skill, whatever it was.”
Hillcrest principal Steve Daniar recalled the jovial Klukie always with a group of people, and always wearing a smile.
A smart kid whose grades were high in everything from academic classes to tech courses, he could have done anything he wanted, said Daniar.
“He was always that guy looking for adventure,” he said.
“That boy left us way too soon.”
An online collection of condolences and memories of Klukie is available at www.legacy.com.

© Copyright by Chronicle Journal.com

 

[The Bread Guy]

Full Obit (Chronicle-Journal, Thunder Bay, 7 Oct 06)

"KLUKIE, Private Joshua James
2006-10-06

Private Joshua James Klukie, age 23 years, died bravely while serving his country in Afghanistan on Friday, September 29, 2006.

Josh was born in Thunder Bay on February 16, 1983. An excellent student, Josh attended MacKenzie Public School, Hillcrest High School and later as a member of the Academic Honor Roll he graduated from the Paramedic Program at Confederation College. Following graduation he completed his certification to become an Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant.

He enjoyed playing all sports, but his true passion was basketball, a sport where he excelled as a student athlete at Hillcrest High School.

Josh truly loved being a part of the MacKenzie Community where he enjoyed many good times with his numerous friends, especially Keith Raine, John Antoniak and Patrick Boyce. Josh's hero in life was his dad Reg who passed away in 1999. Losing his father left a huge void in his life. It wasn't until after his return from basic training with the military that changes could be seen in Josh. He came home with a renewed confidence and pride in himself. Josh was extremely proud to have served with the 1st Batallion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Bravo Company, 4th Platoon stationed at C.F.B. Petawawa.

He will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by his mother Carol, brothers David (fiance Andrea Keeler) and Daniel (Amy Girvin), grandmother Clara "Sis" McCartney, great uncles Joseph Boyko and James Rickard, great auntie Mary Beaucage, aunts MaryJean Larocque, Barbara (Vlado) Kruzick, Barbara "Bernie" (John "Jack") Bennett and Earlene (Charles) Brown, as well as by numerous cousins and other relatives. He was predeceased by his father Reginald "Reg", grandparents Frances and Joseph Klukie and John "Bud" McCartney and uncles David McCartney and George Larocque.

A service to celebrate the life of the late Private Joshua James Klukie will be held on Tuesday, October 10th at 11:00 a.m. in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church with Padre Kerry McLaughlin of the 18 Service Batallion and The Rev. Harold Hunt Lakeview Presbyterian Church presiding. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The family respectfully requests that memorials be made to Operation SMALL PACK, a program designed to assist soldiers wounded overseas. This was a cause that Josh held dear to his heart as he always believed in the importance of taking care of his fellow soldiers. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com"

 

[The Bread Guy]

http://www.ccnmatthews.com/news/releases/show.jsp?action=showRelease&searchText=false&showText=all&actionFor=615665

OCTOBER 7, 2006 - 16:33 ET 
 
Media Advisory/DND: Funeral of Private Josh Klukie
 
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - Oct. 7, 2006) - Private Klukie's funeral service will take place at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 207 South Brodie Street in Thunder Bay this Tuesday, at 11:00 a.m. Media may attend the funeral but will be restricted to the exterior of the church at a designated location. Interment will follow the funeral service. The interment will not be open to the media.

Prior to the church service media will have an opportunity to be briefed by Warrant Officer Dave Fisher, Sergeant Major 1 RCR, the Duke of Edinburgh's Coy and second in command of the funeral ceremony. Details as follows:

Where: across the street from St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church;

When: 1000 -1015 hrs;

What: Warrant Officer Fisher will speak about the significance and details of the military funeral and take your questions.

As a reminder the family do not wish to speak with the media for interviews.

Present at the funeral, to pay their respects, will be Brigadier-General M. Skidmore, Commander of Land Force Western Area and other dignitaries.

Private Josh Klukie was a member of the 1st Battailon, the Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Petawawa, Ontario. Private Klukie died from the blast from an improvised explosive device, September 29, while he was conducting a foot patrol in the Panjwayi district, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

Canada is in Afghanistan helping to stabilize and reconstruct the country. Private Klukie gave his life so that the Afghan people have a means to build a better future for themselves and their communities. We honour Private Klukie's courage and commitment. His sacrifice will not be forgotten. 
 
  CONTACT INFORMATION 
  Public Affairs
Maureen Villeneuve
204-291-8942 (cell) 

 

[RetiredRoyal]

Pro Patria.

You have made the ultimate sacrifice, which is not in vane. Most know the words honour, duty, service, or country but few understand that these words are a lifefstyle choice for some.


May you rest in peace my regimental brother.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Just back from Pte. Klukie's funeral.  Thought I'd share some highlights with those who couldn't be there.

Good turnout to pay respects.  Easily 300+ at the church - every pew, upper and lower levels, filled, with easily 100 standing - and 200+ at the reception following the graveside service

The black, gold & blue standard of rhe RCR hung in front of the church.  Media weren't allowed in, but speakers outside the church brought the service to the 20 or so others who wanted to listen.

RCR had approximately 30 troops up for a guard of honour and other duties. 

Two men in desert cam  were there - the Sgt. carried Josh's cremains in a fine wooden urn into and out of the church.  The other was wearing sun glasses indoors, and was at the reception in a wheelchair.  I thanked them both for their sacrifices.

One of Josh's brothers talked about what a hard time Josh had with the sudden death (in 1999) of his father.  From being a paramedic, to being a soldier, the family said Josh wanted to serve, adding it all seemed to fall into place when he was in the infantry.  The minister spoke about service, and how service costs, be it in time, in talent, in money or property, or, sometimes, in life.  The minister also spoke about how we often search for meaning in our losses, and that we shouldn't feel bad if we can't.

Members of Josh's basketball team, including what seemed like a former coach, presented Josh's mom and brothers with Josh's jersey from the team.

I didn't make it to the graveside ceremony, but I'm told all the local pipe bands had representatives there.

There was a line at the reception to pay respects to Josh's mom.  She seemed grateful at the collection of Army.ca condolences I shared with her.

I also spoke to Mrs. Klukie's assisting officer.  He was busy when Tony Boneca died, and says he'll need a beer tomorrow night.  I'll be happy to buy it for him.

I let the Sgt. in desert cam know that if the platoon wants to visit to pay their respects after the tour is over, my sweetie and I would be happy to billet a couple of the lads to save them some bucks.  He said he'd received a number of such offers while being here.  He said the turnout was pretty good, and I said even if Thunder Bay's population is 110,000 or so, there's still enough of a "small town" feel to draw quite a crowd at something like this.

More than one local military person I spoke to said they didn't want this to happen again, especially after two military funerals in Thunder Bay, but they're nervous that this may not be the last we see here.

This was the second time the CO of the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment had to tell a family in the middle of the night that they'd lost a son in Afghanistan.  I asked him how he managed, and he said the lads overseas have difficult work to do in the caves and in the desert, so his contribution was doing difficult work at home.

Already, the senior garrison people are worried about the gang of their Reservists being sent in 2008 to Afghanistan.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Shared in accordance with the "fair dealing" provisions, Section 29, of the Copyright Act - http://www.cb-cda.gc.ca/info/act-e.html#rid-33409

Honourable farewell
Jim Kelly, Chronicle-Journal, 11 Oct 06
http://66.244.236.251/printer_9064.php
Permalink - http://milnewstbay.pbwiki.com/15951

Pte. Joshua James (Josh) Klukie will be remembered as a loving and devoted son, a loyal and caring friend, and a dedicated soldier whose love for his country was only exceeded by his love for his family.

Klukie, 23, of Shuniah, was killed while serving his country in Afghanistan on Sept. 29.

Tributes at his funeral Tuesday described a young man who had a passion for life and playing sports particularly basketball at Hillcrest High School.

His jersey and team shirt were presented to his family during the service at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church which was classified as private and therefore closed to the media.

As a youngster growing up in the Mackenzie community, Klukie had many television and movie heroes, but the big hero in his life was his father Reg who died in 1999.

“His dad could no longer watch him play basketball which was a passion for him,” his brother David told the huge gathering who came to pay their respects to the fallen soldier who so loved the military that he planned to be a career soldier.

“He loved his uniform and he wore it proudly,” his brother said.
But tragedy intervened.

“It’s a very sad occasion,” said Colin Sobkowich who attended McKenzie School and Hillcrest High School with Klukie.

“He was very into sports and easy to get along with,” said Sobkowich, who is a year younger than Klukie.

Olga Gramiak was also part of the crowd that gathered on a chilly, windswept day near city hall to watch and hear the solemn memorial service which was broadcast by speakers outside the church.

“I came to pay my respects to a fallen soldier who served his country,” she said.

Klukie’s friend Keith Raine described him as “charming, charismatic and a friend for life.”

One woman said the service was a “very, very honourable” way to recognize Klukie’s sacrifice.

“It preserved the true feeling of what he was all about,” she said.

Klukie graduated from the paramedic program at Confederation College.

“As a college we hope we have a role in preparing young people for service to their country,” said Brian Campbell, college director of resource development.

“Josh was the best example of that.”

Klukie served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Bravo Company, 4th Platoon, stationed at CFB Petawawa.

Soldiers from the RCR formed a 20-man escort on Brodie Street outside the church entrance and a 13-man honour guard was positioned nearby.

A 10-man burial party led by Sgt. Mike Marten of the RCR brought the urn carrying Klukie’s cremains into the church accompanied by a lone piper.

Members of the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment, 18 Field Ambulance, 18 Thunder Bay Service Battalion, Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre, OPP, RCMP and Thunder Bay Police were present.

Also paying his respects was Brig.-Gen. M. Skidmore, commander of the Land Force Western Area.

Liberal MPs Joe Comuzzi (Thunder Bay-Superior North) and Ken Boshcoff (Thunder Bay-Rainy River) and MPPs Michael Gravelle (Thunder Bay-Superior North) and Bill Mauro (Thunder Bay-Atikokan) attended, as did Mayor Lynn Peterson.

The Klukie family, like others who have children in battle zones around the world, were understandably worried about the danger posed by the enemy.

“It’s difficult for loved ones to live with the worry,” his brother David said.

He said the family could not have coped with the enormity of their loss without the support of so many people.

The praise for Klukie showed that he will be remembered by his friends for his determination and his sense of humour, and by his superiors for the respect and professionalism he exhibited.

But mostly, he will be remembered by his loving family.

In what was the most heart-wrenching moment of the service, David read his mother Carol’s words to her late son:

“To my precious son, you did good. We are so very proud of you.”

 

[one_speed]

Soldiers carry their Thunder Bay pride abroad
By Major Geoff Abthorpe
Oct 7, 2006, 15:27

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WAR is about the stories of soldiers. And soldiers like to tell stories to other soldiers. It’s how we bond, how we identify, and how we cope. It seems like Thunder Bay should have a book written about the exploits of its sons and daughters in uniform.
Private Joshua Klukie was serving under my command in Bravo Company when he was killed on Sept. 29 during a foot patrol in the Panjawii area. He was a quiet, fit and highly motivated soldier. During his summer leave, as he was visiting his friends and family out on Lakeshore Drive prior to departing for Afghanistan, he put on his uniform and attended the funeral of Corporal Anthony Boneca.
Corporal Boneca was killed in the Panjawii area on July 9. He was a proud reservist with the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment and the Thunder Bay community laid him to rest with the highest possible honours.
Private Robert Costall was killed in action while serving with TF Orion in Helmand Province at the end of March. His legacy lives on with the Canadian Forward Operating Base in Spin Boldak carrying his surname.
As the company clerk for A Company of 2 PPCLI, currently posted to Shilo, Manitoba, Master Corporal Jackie Long has seen more than her share of the battles here, dealing with the complex bureaucracy associated with the military, as she administers the living, the wounded and the dead. But each day she smiles, offers a candy from her dish, and soldiers on.
And there are others… soldiers from Thunder Bay whom I have failed to name only because they quietly go about their duties without identifying where they are from. They are true professionals who represent the full contrasts the military profession offers — from being able to swear a blue streak that would make their mothers blush, to unashamedly crying in the arms of another soldier at the loss of a friend and colleague. Thunder Bay, through its geographic location, forces us to focus on our family and community and when we put on a uniform and move away, we transfer that pride and carry it with us.

I enrolled in the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment at the end of high school, and was inspired by the stories of worldly adventure provided by the NCOs of that unit. After transferring to the Regular Army, I did stints in various units around Canada and the world before taking a brief posting back to Thunder Bay. I was there when Anthony Boneca first enrolled in the LSSR, being the Regular Support Staff Officer to the unit in 2002.
While on leave in Thunder Bay this past summer preparing for my subsequent deployment to Afghanistan, I was there when Corporal Boneca was laid to rest. As I left the church, I turned around and was surprised to see Private Joshua Klukie standing there, in full uniform. When I asked what motivated him to attend the funeral, and whether he was friends with Corporal Boneca, he simply stated that he was a fellow comrade-in-arms and that he needed to be there.
I could not have been more proud.
I will not be able to attend the funeral of Private Joshua Klukie. But I will be represented by my soldiers, the soldiers of Thunder Bay, and the memories I have of that fine young man. And when I return to the city for leave to visit my friends and family, I will make a very special pilgrimage to his gravesite and pay my respects to a fellow Royal Canadian.
In conclusion, I ask only one small favour. On November 11th this year, do not awkwardly grin and wave at a passing soldier or veteran as they march by on the street; proudly walk up to them and thank them for the job they have done. Engage them in conversation and listen to their stories. And if you can’t do that, then quietly visit the final resting place of a soldier, lay a poppy and give solemn thanks for the chapter that they have written.
Inter Pericula Intrepidi and Pro Patria


© Copyright by Chronicle Journal.com

 

[Buschgirl427]

Pte. Klukie was from my hometown, and his funeral was amazing. There must have been over 300 people there to pay their condolences. Three soldiers from Thunder Bay...These deaths are just emphasizing the impact this war has on Canada and abroad.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Sadly, another photo on Josh's high school wall of honour....


Klukie honoured by Hillcrest
Jim Kelly, Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal, 16 Dec 06
Article Link - Permalink

Private Joshua James (Josh) Klukie was given his rightful place among the “honourable souls” on the Hillcrest Stairway of Honour.

The 23-year-old Shuniah resident and former Hillcrest High School graduate was with the First Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment when he was killed Sept. 29 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

In a moving ceremony Friday, Klukie’s photo joined the 84 other Port Arthur Technical School (later Hillcrest High School) soldiers, sailors and airmen who died during the Second World War.

These pictures of young men, many of them like Klukie “destined for greater things” hang on both sides of the stairway leading to the school’s main foyer.

A heart-wrenching speech by Klukie’s mother Carol spoke of his courage, compassion and love for his family.

“Josh knew the danger and he knew he might not come back but he believed in the cause and the mission,” she said choking back tears.

Josh was “lost in his sorrow” when his father died but he continued his school work and played basketball “but his heart was aching inside,” his mother told the gathering of students and teachers, Lakehead Public School officials, former Hillcrest basketball teammates and others.

Hillcrest principal Steve Daniar said Klukie was one of those students with great potential and his platoon mates described him as being “destined for military greatness” but he never got to realize his promising future.

“I know he wanted to do so much more but God had other plans,” Carol Klukie said.

“He was truly a gift.”

She was also a student at Hillcrest when a classmate pointed out an uncle whose picture was on the Stairway of Honour.

“I remember these honourable souls,” she said. “We should never forget what they did, not only those who died but those who survived.”

There will be young students just as Carol Klukie was many years ago who will pause to admire the young brave men who died in the service of their country.

“With the addition of Josh’s picture on the Stairway of Honour, a new generation of Hillcrest High School students will understand the true meaning of sacrifice,” Daniar said.

“The Hillcrest community will always remember Josh for who he was and what he gave to our country.”

As a tribute to Klukie, Hillcrest staff and students and local businesses and organizations have donated $1,350 to purchase Emergency Essential Packages for injured Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan.

To assist in this effort call Hillcrest at 345-1461.

Earlier this week, Shuniah Council opened a memorial trust fund to honour Klukie and made an initial deposit of $5,000, chief administrative officer Eric Collingwood said.

A large photo of Klukie was presented to his mother and it will hang in the council chambers.

So far, close to $6,000 is in the trust fund, which Collingwood said, is expected to yield sufficient funds for the Klukie family to make an annual donation to the charity of their choice.

Donations to the trust fund should be made payable to the Municipality of Shuniah, regarding the Josh Klukie memorial fund.

One of the presentations to Carol Klukie was an essay Josh wrote in Grade 9 about a dragon.

“You gave us a special gift when he was a student here,” Daniar told Carol Klukie.

“You gave Canada a special gift.”

 

[gaspasser]

Proper thing. A shining example to our youth.
LEST WE FORGET,
Whenever and Wherever.

 

[schart28]

RIP

 

[stukirkpatrick]

I looked at those pictures every time I passed them for the four years I was in high school.  He will not be forgotten. 

 

[Picaninny Skoff]

I had the honour and privilege of meeting with and talking to Mrs Carol Kulkie after Josh's memorial service in Petawawa.  When she talked at the service, she was a pillar of strength and dignity during the most difficult time of her life.  I am glad to see Hillcrest HS recognize our current heroes alongside those of the past.  Rest In Peace, Josh.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Remembering one of the fallen on his birthday, from the 16 Feb 07 edition of the Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal.....

http://milnewstbay.pbwiki.com/f/KlukieThanks16Feb07.pdf

 

[The Bread Guy]

Remembering one of the fallen, two years later - clipping attached.

 

[mariomike]

Update:
"Josh Klukie Memorial Award"
http://oldwww.confederationc.on.ca/whatsnew/mediareleases/archives/2009/KlukieRelease.pdf

2010
"Paramedic’s Golf Tourney Raises Funds for Josh Klukie Memorial Award"
http://netnewsledger.com/?p=1441

"Below is a picture of Anne Renaud (Director of Fort Francis Campus ) presenting the Josh Klukie Memorial Award 2010 to David Egan, second year Paramedic student.":
http://www.confederationc.on.ca/paramedic

Photos of Pte. Klukie for those who remember him, and those of us who never met him:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2366929006#!/group.php?gid=2366929006&v=photos

 

[The Bread Guy]

Five years later, we remember....