- Reaction score
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- Points
- 680
Now here is feel good story for father's day.
Soldiers raise almost US$6,000 in Father's Day charity run in Kandahar
Colin Perkel, THE CANADIAN PRESS
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Dozens of Canadian soldiers and some civilians arose early on Father's Day for a different kind of mission: a charity run around part of Kandahar Airfield.
Weighed down by flak vests, helmets, guns and water, they tackled the 6.5 kilometre "Loop for the Troop" with a gusto inspired by the promise of free coffee at the finish line.
It was the second annual run, and the first time it was held in Kandahar.
The event was initiated by Michael Hornburg in memory of his son Cpl. Nathan Hornburg, who was killed in Afghanistan in September 2007 when he got out of a disabled tank and was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.
The 94 runners and walkers, including a trio of groggy reporters, raised close to US$6,000 for various military-related efforts, including a wall of honour for fallen soldiers in Calgary, where more than a thousand people were expected to take part in a similar event on Sunday.
Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, Canada's senior commander in Afghanistan, led the way from Kandahar's boardwalk on a route that followed one of the few tarred roads on the sprawling air base to minimize dust.
Despite the early morning temperatures in the low 20s, participants sweated and puffed their way, drinking copious amounts of water and spurring each other on.
After the final stragglers had made it back to the boardwalk and helped themselves to free Tim Hortons coffee - real half-and-half cream optional - Vance briefly addressed the motley, panting throng.
"No soldier dies in vain," he said in reference to Hornburg.
He also paid tribute to the race winner - Maj. Joey Boland, a soldier-athlete close to Olympic calibre, who finished in around 29 minutes despite the heavy gear.
The money raised also goes to support a veterans hospital, scholarships and cadets.
© The Canadian Press, 2009
Soldiers raise almost US$6,000 in Father's Day charity run in Kandahar
Colin Perkel, THE CANADIAN PRESS
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Dozens of Canadian soldiers and some civilians arose early on Father's Day for a different kind of mission: a charity run around part of Kandahar Airfield.
Weighed down by flak vests, helmets, guns and water, they tackled the 6.5 kilometre "Loop for the Troop" with a gusto inspired by the promise of free coffee at the finish line.
It was the second annual run, and the first time it was held in Kandahar.
The event was initiated by Michael Hornburg in memory of his son Cpl. Nathan Hornburg, who was killed in Afghanistan in September 2007 when he got out of a disabled tank and was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.
The 94 runners and walkers, including a trio of groggy reporters, raised close to US$6,000 for various military-related efforts, including a wall of honour for fallen soldiers in Calgary, where more than a thousand people were expected to take part in a similar event on Sunday.
Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, Canada's senior commander in Afghanistan, led the way from Kandahar's boardwalk on a route that followed one of the few tarred roads on the sprawling air base to minimize dust.
Despite the early morning temperatures in the low 20s, participants sweated and puffed their way, drinking copious amounts of water and spurring each other on.
After the final stragglers had made it back to the boardwalk and helped themselves to free Tim Hortons coffee - real half-and-half cream optional - Vance briefly addressed the motley, panting throng.
"No soldier dies in vain," he said in reference to Hornburg.
He also paid tribute to the race winner - Maj. Joey Boland, a soldier-athlete close to Olympic calibre, who finished in around 29 minutes despite the heavy gear.
The money raised also goes to support a veterans hospital, scholarships and cadets.
© The Canadian Press, 2009
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