As any reader of Redcoat will see, wars are more often than not fought for very silly reasons. The current war in Afghanistan is not one of these. 

Ever since 11 September 2001, the western world, including Canada, has lived in the dark shadow of terrorism. We as a people have come together to face this grim spectre, and now as troops of the Canadian army deploy for battle in Afghanistan, we need to support our armed forces more than ever. The personnel of the Canadian Forces now on station overseas in the fight against Al-Queda are there for the good of not just ourselves, but also for all nations who share our lifestyle of pluralism and freedom. Let us pay homage to them, for they carry a torch of honour which their forbears held aloft at Queenston Heights, Paardeberg, Vimy Ridge, Dieppe and Kap'yong, on the steely Atlantic and in the fiery skies of Europe. In the face of the greatest adversity, whether from the enemy or from a government intent on disowning them, we know they will hold it high and never let it fall. 

With the deepest gratitude, we thank the personnel of the Canadian Forces, especially those attached to the following formations:

• 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
• Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
• 1st Service Battalion, Royal Canadian Army Service Corps
• Joint Task Force II
• HMCS Iroquois
• HMCS Charlottetown
• HMCS Halifax
• HMCS Preserver
• HMCS Vancouver
• Strategic Airlift Detachment
• Tactical Airlift Detachment
• Maritime Patrol Detachment

Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
--Winston Churchill--
 

Follow the links to find out the latest on the Canadian Forces at war:

Department of National Defense: Operation Apollo

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation: Target Terrorism