Mr. Speaker, Canada's worst fears became reality today. Four soldiers were killed in the war on terrorism, Canada's first loss in a declared war in 50 years. Their families and friends mourn today. Our nation's people are stooped with sympathy as our flags are brought to half mast.
It matters not who delivered the blow that felled these men, the theatre of war is a perilous place of unpredictable life threatening circumstance. The responsibility of all war dead is that of the protagonist, not of the peacemaker.
These members of the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry served their country with courage and distinction and gave the ultimate gift to our nation: their lives. They now join with 120,000 other Canadian soldiers since Confederation, their lives laid down for our country, the true price of the peace we enjoy today.
Let us not forget their sacrifice. Let us welcome home Afghanistan war veteran wounded and never forget the dead.