• Thanks for stopping by. Logging in to a registered account will remove all generic ads. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

20 Jul 10: Sapper Brian Collier, 1 CER, R.I.P.

The Bread Guy

Moderator
Staff member
Directing Staff
Subscriber
Donor
Reaction score
2,459
Points
1,260
Damn....

This from the National Post/Postmedia:
Sapper Brian Collier, of Bradford, Ont., and 1 Combat Engineer Regiment in Edmonton was killed by a homemade landmine Tuesday morning while on a foot patrol 15 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City.

The 24-year-old combat engineer was the 151st Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan since the Chretien government first committed troops to the U.S.-led war on terrorism here in 2002. He was the 12th Canadian combat engineer to die during the Afghan mission.

Collier began his first tour in Afghanistan a couple of months ago as part of the Petawawa, Ont.-based 1 Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group.

He had been wounded recently when another homemade landmine exploded, but "fought hard to overcome his injury in order to get back doing his job with his comrades," Brig.-Gen. Jon Vance, commander of Task Force Kandahar, said in announcing the death Tuesday night.

The sapper had been on a foot patrol near Nakhonay, in eastern Panjwaii District, when he was killed. It has been a particularly dangerous area for the Canadian force since moving many of its troops there to live among villagers late last year ....

Condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of the latest fallen  :salute:

- edited to add photo from CF/CP:  "Canadian soldier Sapper Brian Collier is shown in an undated military handout photo. Collier, 24, has been killed in an IED blast in Afghanistan.  THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Department of National Defence" -
 
RIP Sapper  :salute: :cdn:

Our condolences to his family and friends, and the Engineer family.
 
Our condolences to Sapper Brian Collier family and friends.  :salute:  :cdn:  :yellow:

Dave and Nancee Payne
 
One Canadian soldier was killed after an improvised explosive device detonated during a foot patrol in the Panjwa’i District, about 15 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City, at approximately 9:00 a.m. Kandahar time on 20 July 2010.

Killed in action was Sapper Brian Collier from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment, based in Edmonton, Alberta. Sapper Collier was serving with 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group.

We are all thinking of the family and friends of our Canadian fallen comrade during this sad time. We will not forget Sapper Collier’s sacrifice as we continue to bring security and hope to the people of Kandahar Province ....
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?cat=00&id=3477
 
Sincere condolences.
 
Rest easy Sapper :salute:

Thoughts and prayers to his family in and out of uniform

RTG
 
My thoughts an condolences go out to his friends, family, and brothers in arms.

From: CTV

450_cp_collier_soldier_1007.jpg
Canada has lost another soldier in Afghanistan in an IED attack.

Sapper Brian Collier dismounted from his vehicle Tuesday and was killed by an IED blast. He was 24 years old.

The attack happened near Nakhonay, about 15 kilometres west of Kandahar city.

Collier's death marks the 151st among Canadian military personnel in Afghanistan since Canada's mission began in 2002.

"Canadian soldiers are in a constant struggle with insurgents in places like Nakhonay and elsewhere in the Panjwaii district," said Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, commander of Task Force Kandahar.

"We are working so diligently in the Panjwaii district so that we can bring about the sort of positive changes that have resulted from our operations over the past year in neighbouring Dand district. We seek to do the same in Panjwaii over the next year."

Collier had narrowly escaped death in a previous encounter with an IED earlier in this tour of duty.

Vance said Collier "fought hard" to overcome his injury so he could rejoin his comrades.

"Today, the entire task force -- both military and civilian -- is mourning our fallen comrade. Any Canadian who could have seen Brian in action would have been proud of him and proud of our country for the work being done with and for Afghans."

Collier was a member of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment based at CFB Edmonton. It was his first deployment to Afghanistan.

Born in Toronto and raised in Bradford, Ont., he was serving with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group.

Attacks using improvised explosive devices have been the single biggest cause of casualties among Canadian troops in Afghanistan.

Ninety-two of the 151 Canadian fatalities in Afghanistan were due to IEDs.

Two civilians, diplomat Glyn Berry and journalist Michelle Lang, have also been killed in Canada's mission to Afghanistan.
:yellow:
 
My deepest condolences to the family, friends and comrades of Spr Collier.  :salute: :cdn:
 
May you rest in peace for all your hard work and dedication Sapper. Also, may your family and friends find strength and courage in this hard time.
:yellow:
 
My condolences to the Collier family,friends and the Regiment. :salute:
 
News Room
Statement By The Minister Of National Defence On The Death Of Sapper Brian Collier
NR - 10.083 - July 20, 2010


OTTAWA – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement today on the death of a soldier in Afghanistan.

“I would like to express my profound condolences to the family and friends of Sapper Brian Collier, who died as the result of an improvised explosive device detonated during a foot patrol in the Panjwa’i District.

Sapper Brian Collier was a remarkable Canadian and a dedicated soldier. He made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and has earned the recognition and the respect of us all.

Canada is in Afghanistan at the request of the democratically elected Afghan government and as part of an UN-mandated, NATO-led mission. While the mission continues to be challenging, our men and women in uniform are doing an incredible job meeting these challenges on a daily basis.

We are committed to our objective to help Afghans build a brighter future for themselves so they may live in freedom just as we do here in Canada.”



Fallen Soldier
July 20, 2010


Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, on the Death of Sapper Brian Collier
OTTAWA—My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I have just learned of the death of Sapper Brian Collier, who was serving with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, in Afghanistan. He was on foot patrol when he was killed by an improvised explosive device approximately 15 kilometres southwest of Kandahar. We are extremely saddened by this tragic news.

Sapper Brian Collier answered the call of duty and went to defend the Afghan people, who legitimately aspire to peace, justice and prosperity. With immense courage, he gave his heart and soul, working alongside his comrades, other NATO soldiers and humanitarian workers. His total devotion will not be forgotten.

Our hearts go out to Sapper Brian Collier’s family, loved ones and fellow soldiers. Our thoughts are with them, and on behalf of all Canadians, we would like to offer them our sincerest condolences.

Michaëlle Jean

‑30‑

Media Information:
Marie-Ève Létourneau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-0287
www.gg.ca
www.citizenvoices.gg.ca



Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada
20 July 2010
Ottawa, Ontario


Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today on the death of a Canadian soldier in Afghanistan:

“It is with great sadness that I extend my condolences, and those of all Canadians, to the family and friends of Sapper Brian Collier who died while conducting a patrol in Afghanistan.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

“The bravery and remarkable commitment of Canadians like Sapper Collier are bringing safety and stability to the people of Afghanistan.

“Canada and its international allies continue to secure and rebuild Afghanistan through this UN-mandated mission.  The Government of Canada is proud of our Canadian Forces.  Every day, their dedication and work protect our interests and values here at home and around the world. 

“Sapper Collier’s sacrifice will not be forgotten.”
 
STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR JAWED LUDIN ABOUT THE DEATH OF SAPPER BRIAN COLLIER OF THE COMBAT ENGINEER REGIMENT
In reaction to the tragic news a few hours ago of the death of Sapper Brian Collier, His Excellency Jawed Ludin, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Canada, made the following statement:

“I am extremely saddened by the news of the latest Canadian life to have been lost in Afghanistan.  I learned that Sapper Brian Collier was killed in an improved explosive device explosion in Kandahar earlier today.  Brian was 24 years old and it is particularly heart wrenching that a young life has been lost.

“Sapper Brian Collier died on a day when an international conference was underway in Kabul, where the decision to transfer the responsibility of defending the Afghan soil from international forces to Afghans was discussed and important agreements were made.  It is particularly at times like this, when a young life from a country far away is lost in the defense of peace and human rights, that we Afghans feel even more anxious to take responsibility for our own security.

“We owe a lot of our progress, including the possibility that millions of our boys and girls are able to attend schools and a democratic process is functioning in my country, to the invaluable sacrifices that people such as Brian Colliers have made.  As an Afghan, I am truly indebted to Brian Colliers and his comrades who have given the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of peace and democracy in my country.

“On this extremely sad occasion, I share the grief of Brian’s family and loved ones.  It is to them that I give my sincerest condolences on the loss of their loved one.

“To the Canadian people in general, I wish to convey the gratitude of the Afghan people for the sacrifices that your sons and daughters have made and for the historical services they have rendered to our country.  Please know that these sacrifices will never be forgotten.  I am certain that, through these sacrifices and those made by many others from other countries around the world, as well as by the much greater number offered by Afghans themselves, a better, more prosperous and democratic Afghanistan will be built.”
 
Back
Top