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Topic: Corporal Brent Poland, 2nd Battalion. The Royal Canadian Regiment (Read 791 times)
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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Corporal Brent Poland, 2nd Battalion. The Royal Canadian Regiment, was killed yesterday when an improvised explosive device detonated near their LAV-III armoured vehicle. The incident occurred at approximately 13:30 hrs Kandahar time on April 8, approximately 75 kilometres west of Kandahar City, near the border between Helmand and Kandahar provinces.
Rest in Peace, Brent. May the Lord be with your family and friends at this sad moment.
Pro Patria.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Rest in Peace soldier and thank you and your comrades, family and military family for your extreme devotion to duty and ultimate sacrifice...ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Soldier Poland wanted to bring peace to Afghanistan
Carly Weeks
CanWest News Service
Monday, April 09, 2007
OTTAWA — Cpl. Brent Poland volunteered to serve in Afghanistan with a dream that his efforts would help ensure young girls and women had access to education and could lead lives free of oppression.
“He told us before he left that he saw this tour as his chance to help in the effort to bring peace and stability for the people of Afghanistan. He was inspired by the thought that his efforts might help to ensure little girls had the chance to go to school and women might be given the opportunity to thrive in an environment free of brutal oppression,” his family said in a statement released Monday.
“He is in every sense our hero and he will always be.”
Poland, 37, was one of six Canadian soldiers killed Sunday and the final man to have his name released to the public. He was a member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment based in Gagetown, N.B. He was unmarried and didn’t have children.
Poland had a history degree from York University and a media arts degree from Ryerson University. In his 30s, he decided to follow “his heart and his passion” by enlisting as an infantry soldier in the Canadian Forces.
Family gathered Monday to offer support to his parents, Donald and Patricia, at their home in Camlachie, Ont., a small agricultural town outside of Sarnia on the shores of Lake Huron.
Although his family said they were “devastated” by the news of his death, they were extremely proud of his service in Afghanistan.
“Brent was a good, strong and loving man,” his family said.
“He was a proud soldier and a proud Canadian. Our family is devastated by his death, but take comfort knowing that he died doing what he wanted to do, in an honourable cause and in the service of his country.”
Poland’s family warned that he wouldn’t have wanted his death to cause any wavering in Canada’s commitment to the mission in Afghanistan and shouldn’t be fodder for any “political opportunism.”
“Brent was our dearest son, brother, uncle, nephew and cousin,” his family said. “We are so very proud of Brent’s service and willingness to endure adversity to accomplish the goals of his heart.”
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said the community will rally behind the family and honour Poland’s memory, but will also respect the wishes of the family if they want privacy.
“This community will reach out as all Canadian communities do when you lose a member of the family,” he said Monday. “The community will do and I’ll do whatever they want us to do.”
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Local soldier dies in action
CPL. Brent Poland of Camlachie killed in Afghanistan along with five other Canadians
By NEIL BOWEN
Local News - Tuesday, April 10, 2007 Updated @ 9:47:05 AM
A Camlachie soldier killed in Afghanistan wouldn’t want his death to undermine Canada’s resolve in the fight against the Taliban, his family says.
Cpl. Brent Donald Poland, 37, was one of six Canadians killed in a roadside bomb blast Sunday.
“Brent was a good, strong and loving man. He was a proud soldier and proud Canadian. Our family is devastated by his death, but take comfort knowing that he died doing what he wanted to do, in an honourable cause and in the service of country,” his family said in a statement released by his brother Mark Poland, an area lawyer.
“We are so very proud of Brent’s service and willingness to endure adversity to accomplish the goals of his heart. He is in every sense our hero and he will always be.”
Poland, the son of Camlachie’s Don and Pat Poland, was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near his light armoured vehicle about 75 kilometres west of Kandahar City, the Department of Defence said.
After attending St. Clair Secondary School, Poland graduated with a history degree from York University and a media arts degree from Ryerson University.
He joined the military in his 30s to “follow his heart and his passion” by volunteering for a career as an infantry soldier, his family said.
Poland was a member of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment based at CFB Gagetown, N.B., as were four of the other killed soldiers.
They were Sgt. Donald Lucas, 31, Pte. Kevin Kennedy, 20, Cpl. Aaron Williams, 23, and Pte. David Greenslade, 20. The sixth, Cpl. Christopher Stannix, 24, was a reservist from the Halifax-based Princess Louise Fusiliers.
They had been in the field for a month and were providing security for a convoy when their vehicle encountered the roadside bomb.
“There will be a service, but we don’t know when. There’s details to be worked out with the military,” said Rev. Robert Lemon of St. John-in-the-Wilderness, the Anglican church in Bright’s Grove that Poland attended before leaving.
On Wednesday, the fallen soldiers are to be honoured during a “ramp ceremony” for the arriving aircraft bringing their remains to CFB Trenton, Captain Dominic Beharrysingh told The Observer this morning.
“It’s a hard time,” said Gene Smith, who knows the Poland family and is a contact for the newly-formed Lambton County Military Family Support Group.
Poland’s family said Brent was thriving in his chosen field and was excited about taking part in the deployment.
“He believed in this mission and he would not for a moment want his death to be the cause of any wavering will or political opportunism concerning the worthiness of the mission of Afghanistan,” the family said.
“He told us before he left that he saw this tour as his chance to help in the effort to bring peace and stability for the people of Afghanistan. He was inspired by the thought that his efforts might help to ensure that little girls had the chance to go to school and women might be given an opportunity to thrive in an environment free of brutal oppression.”
Poland is the second soldier from Sarnia-Lambton to die in Afghanistan.
Port Lambton resident Pte. William Cushley died during a battle on Sept. 3, 2006.
Fifty-one Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan since 2002.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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APRIL 10, 2007 - 12:30 ET
Family Statement: Statement from the Family of Corporal Brent Poland
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - April 10, 2007) - Brent was our dear son, brother, uncle, nephew and cousin.
Brent graduated with a History degree from York University and a Media Arts degree from Ryerson University.
In his thirties, Brent chose to follow his heart and his passion. He enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces where he volunteered for a career as an infantry soldier.
He thrived in his chosen field, and was excited about taking part in this deployment to Afghanistan. He believed in this mission and he would not for a moment want his death to be the cause of any wavering will or political opportunism concerning the worthiness of the mission of Afghanistan.
He told us before he left that he saw this tour as his chance to help in the effort to bring peace and stability for the people of Afghanistan. He was inspired by the thought that his efforts might help to ensure that little girls had the chance to go to school and women might be given an opportunity to thrive in an environment free of brutal oppression.
Brent was a good, strong and loving man. He was a proud soldier and proud Canadian. Our family is devastated by his death, but take comfort knowing that he died doing what he wanted to do, in an honourable cause and in the service of country.
We are so very proud of Brent's service and willingness to endure adversity to accomplish the goals of his heart. He is in every sense our hero and he will always be.
The family would also like to thank all of our dear friends and family who have given us such tremendous support in these early days of our grief.
Note to the editors: The Department of National Defence is publishing this statement at the request of the family.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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A Ryerson graduate was one of six soldiers killed in Afghanistan in the bloodiest day for Canadian armed forces since the Korean War.
Cpl. Brent Donald Poland died on April 8 with five other soldiers when their LAV III armoured vehicle drove over a large roadside bomb likely laid by the Taliban. His unit was operating west of Kandahar city, according to a national defence news release.
Poland was the last soldier to be identified, his name withheld until Monday at the request of his family.
Don Snyder, chair of image arts, said Poland graduated from Ryerson in 1998 after earlier attending York where he earned a degree in history.
“This kind of news is so tragic, it hits you really hard,” Snyder said.
“He was a really good student, especially in film and digital graphics.”
Snyder said Poland graduated from Ryerson in 1998 after transferring from York University, where he earned a degree in history.
Alexandra Bal, a professor of image arts who taught Poland, said she recognized his photo and remembered the dead soldier. “I’m shocked,” Bal said, upon hearing the news of Poland’s death, “He was a really nice guy,”
she added.
President Sheldon Levy’s prepared statement expressed condolences to the Poland family, and “heartfelt pride that he lived his life in the way he chose.” He went on to say that “Ryerson University honours one of its own, with sorrow and profound respect.”
A male member of Poland’s family was reached at their Camlachie Ont. home and declined to comment, but referred The Eyeopener to the family’s statement published by national defence.
“In his thirties, Brent chose to follow his heart and his passion. He enlisted in the Canadian Forces where he volunteered for a career as an infantry soldier,” the statement said.
The family’s statement said that Poland wanted to bring peace to the people of Afghanistan and that he was inspired by the thought that his efforts would give Afghan women the chance to go to school and be free from oppression.
“We are so very proud of Brent’s service and willingness to endure adversity to accomplish the goals of his heart. He is in every sense our hero and he will always be,” the statement continued.
Poland was serving as a member of Hotel Company in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Gagetown, N.B.
Speaking at the ramp ceremony (where dead soldiers are loaded on planes for return to Canada), Chief Warrant Officer Wayne O’Toole, a 30-year veteran of the military who served as Sergeant-Major for Hotel Company, said he was impressed by Poland.
“Cpl. Poland was an intense soldier. He would be intense just digging a hole,” O’Toole said.
The six soldiers’ deaths bring the number of Canadians killed in Afghanistan to 52 since the Canadian mission began in 2002.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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April 10, 2007
Sarnia soldier relished mission
Brent Poland was one of the six soldiers killed in a roadside blast in Afghanistan Sunday.
By PATRICK MALONEY AND KATE DUBINSKI -- Sun Media
CAMLACHIE -- Three months into his first military deployment, a Sarnia-area soldier was the sixth Canadian killed in a roadside bomb blast in Afghanistan Sunday.
The military confirmed the death of Cpl. Brent Donald Poland yesterday, after delaying the news at his family's request.
Poland, 37, is the fifth Southwestern Ontario soldier killed since Canada's Afghanistan mission began in 2002.
Poland's family did not speak to the media, but yesterday issued a statement about him saying, "He believed in this mission" and would not want his death to undermine Canada's resolve in the fight against the Taliban.
"Brent was a good, strong and loving man. He was a proud soldier and proud Canadian," read the statement, issued through his brother, Mark Poland, a Crown prosecutor in Kitchener.
"He told us before he left that he saw this tour as his chance to help in the effort to bring peace and stability for the people of Afghanistan."
As news of Poland's death reached the Sarnia area, its second combat death in six months, details of what triggered Sunday's deadly explosion emerged from officials.
The light-armoured vehicle carrying the six soldiers triggered a "large" roadside bomb, probably set by the Taliban days or even hours before.
As one of three patrol vehicles tried to drive through a narrow crossing point, the bomb blew, killing the six men in the back and blowing one of four survivors out a hatch.
Poland, of Camlachie, was a member of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Gagetown, N.B.
Jim Foubister, a close friend of the family and a member of Sarnia city council, said he knew Poland for most of his life, describing him as a "wonderful young man."
"Our prayers certainly do go out to the Poland family," he told CHOK radio in Sarnia, his voice choked with emotion. "I guess we've really learned the price of freedom."
John and Ann Hitchins, who live across the street from Poland's family and have known Poland since he was a child, called him "a wonderful kid (who) seemed to really be enjoying the military."
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said the death is especially hard because Poland was Lambton County's second combat death in Afghanistan.
Private William Cushley, 21, of Port Lambton, near Sarnia, died Sept. 3, 2006 with three other Canadian soldiers.
"We lost two Lambton County lives, serving as they wanted to do and doing their jobs," Bradley said.
In a video produced by Army Public Affairs and available on the Defence Department's website, Poland is shown leading a platoon as part of an infantry officer training exercise at Gagetown.
Poland graduated with a history degree from York University and a media arts degree from Ryerson University. He joined the military in his 30s, "to follow his heart and his passion," the family said.
He'd put down roots in Gagetown, buying a house.
Poland was raised with his brother, Mark, and a male cousin who was like a brother.
"The whole family has a wonderful sense of humour, and (Brent) kept them in stitches. They're devastated," John Hitchins said.
The Hitchins last saw Brent Poland in church in Camlachie, before he shipped out.
"He thrived in his chosen field and was excited about taking part in this deployment to Afghanistan," the family said.
"He believed in this mission and he would not, for a moment, want his death to be the cause of any wavering will or political opportunism concerning the worthiness of the mission of Afghanistan."
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Slain soldier Poland felt service and its consequences were destiny
By DAN MCCAFFERY Sarnia Observer
SARNIA, Ont. — Cpl. Brent Poland, one of six soldiers killed in Afghanistan on Easter Sunday, wouldn’t have wanted others to use his death to discredit the mission, his brother says.
"My brother knew fully well the risks associated with his deployment, and he accepted them gladly in exchange for the opportunity to make a difference in the world," Mark Poland said Tuesday. "He was a courageous man, a fine Canadian, and my own hero. I cannot tell you how proud I am to be his brother."
Two days after Poland was killed by a roadside bomb, his family received a letter from the 37-year-old that was to be opened in the event of his death.
In it, the Sarnia native and long-time resident of the Lake Huron village of Camlachie said he hoped his loss might give another, younger soldier the chance to live.
"I feel that this is my obligation, given that I have been so blessed, to protect the young men in my unit so that they may go on to lead fulfilled lives and experiences as much as I have," he wrote.
Poland added, "if I die on a battlefield in Afghanistan, then so be it, it is my destiny. I truly believe this, this destiny. My life is not my own, it is a path and this path has led me here and damn what a ride it has been."
That dedication didn’t surprise his brother.
"Brent cared a great deal about the other soldiers in his section," Mark Poland said. "Brent, having come to the military later in life, was somewhat older than the other men in his section. He saw in this an opportunity to mentor the younger soldiers."
Mark Poland, who is a major in the reserves, said, "my father brought Brent and I up to be fiercely proud of this country. We were brought up with a sense of the importance of service."
"During his school years, Brent was surrounded by a loyal group of friends who he kept in touch with throughout his life," Mark Poland said. "He played hockey in the winter and he loved to downhill ski. In the summer, Brent played baseball, soccer and he loved to golf. He thrived in the outdoors, and was active in the scouting movement."
He also developed a love of children. "While Brent had no children of his own, he was always a favourite with the children of our family," he said. "He told us prior to deploying that he looked forward to the chance to make a difference in the lives of Afghan children."
After he left university, Brent Poland took a job as a project manager in the Toronto area.
"But he found himself uninspired by his work," his brother said. "In his early thirties, he joined the Canadian Forces to follow his heart."
In his last phone call home, Brent Poland told his mother "how much he was enjoying his life as a soldier, and that he intended to redeploy to Afghanistan as soon as he could after coming home. His last words to her were simple, but important he said, concluding the conversation as he always did, ‘I love you mom.’"
A funeral service will be held Friday at 1 p.m. at Temple Baptist Church.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Soldier's final message
Poland LETTER told family 'my life is not my own'
By DAN McCAFFERY
Local News - Wednesday, April 18, 2007 Updated @ 10:50:40 AM
It came to the Poland family almost like a message from the grave.
Two days after Cpl. Brent Poland was killed by a roadside bomb in war-torn Afghanistan, his loved ones received a letter from the 37-year-old that was to be opened in the event of his death.
In it, the Sarnia native and longtime Camlachie resident said he hoped his loss might give another, younger soldier the chance to live.
“I feel that this is my obligation, given that I have been so blessed, to protect the young men in my unit so that they may go on to lead fulfilled lives and experience as much as I have,” he wrote.
Poland added, “if I die on a battlefield in Afghanistan, then so be it, it is my destiny. I truly believe this, this destiny. My life is not my own, it is a path and this path has led me here and damn what a ride it has been.”
That dedication didn’t surprise Brent’s brother, Mark Poland.
“Brent cared a great deal about the other soldiers in his section,” he told reporters Tuesday during a news conference at the Sarnia Armoury. “Brent, having come to the military later in life, was somewhat older than the other men in his section. He saw in this an opportunity to mentor the younger soldiers.”
Mark Poland, who is a major in the reserves, said, “my father brought Brent and I up to be fiercely proud of this country. We were brought up with a sense of the importance of service.”
Brent attended Errol Village Public School and St. Clair Secondary School before going off to earn two university degrees.
In many ways, his was an idyllic childhood.
“During his school years, Brent was surrounded by a loyal group of friends who he kept in touch with throughout his life,” Mark said. “He played hockey in the winter and he loved to downhill ski. In the summer, Brent played baseball, soccer and he loved to golf. He thrived in the outdoors, and was active in the scouting movement.”
His brother was, he added, “funny, quick to laugh and often seen sporting a wry, knowing sort of smile.”
He also developed a love of children. “While Brent had no children of his own, he was always a favourite with the children of our family,” Mark said. “He described my stepdaughter as the ‘apple of his eye.’ He told us prior to deploying that he looked forward to the chance to make a difference in the lives of Afghan children.”
After he left university, Brent took a job as a project manager in the Toronto area. “But he found himself uninspired by his work,” his brother said. “In his early thirties, he joined the Canadian Forces to follow his heart.”
He proved to be a good soldier. “Brent was by all accounts a soldier’s soldier — intensely dedicated and quick on his feet,” Mark said. “He was inclined to action rather than waiting to be told what to do.”
In his last phone call home, Brent told his mother “how much he was enjoying his life as a soldier, and that he intended to redeploy to Afghanistan as soon as he could after coming home. His last words to her were simple, but important — he said, concluding the conversation as he always did, ‘I love you mom.’”
Mark doesn’t believe Brent would have wanted others to use his death to discredit the Afghanistan mission. “My brother knew fully well the risks associated with his deployment, and he accepted them gladly in exchange for the opportunity to make a difference in the world,” he said. “He was a courageous man, a fine Canadian, and my own hero. I cannot tell you how proud I am to be his brother.”
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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That letter tells you all about the soldier ,human and man...mat that beautiful soul rest in peace.. his job very well done, and thank you to him and his family and friends ..ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Family of slain soldier says, 'thank you'
National Post
Friday, April 20, 2007
The family of Corporal Brent Donald Poland, killed in Afghanistan on April 8, would like to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks to the overwhelming support our community, province and country have given to us in this our difficult time. We were amazed and overwhelmed to see the support of the people who stood outside in that cold rain on April 11, as we and the five other families brought our loved ones back to Toronto after the repatriation ceremony in Trenton.
To see the police officers, standing at attention all along the 401, the firefighters, ambulance crews and civilians standing on the overpasses with flags waving, the way the police cleared our 24-plus car convoy through the streets of Toronto, really made us proud to be Canadian and living in this great country.
We were told that many of the police officers, and we suspect the fire crews also, did this for us on their own time. All of your kindness to us, while it doesn't bring Brent back, helps to take away a bit of the great hurt that we feel.
Thank you all so very much.
The Poland family, Sarnia, Ont.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Soldier: 'If I die, that is my destiny'
Sat, April 21, 2007
By JOE MATYAS, SUN MEDIA
Pupils from Temple Christian Academy throw petals onto the road in Sarnia yesterday in front of the hearse carrying the body of Cpl. Brent Poland killed on Easter Sunday in Afghanistan, doing what he most wanted. (MORRIS LAMONT Sun Media)
SARNIA -- He was an officer who gave up his higher rank and higher pay to serve in the Canadian Forces infantry.
And Cpl. Brent Donald Poland, 37, died in the service of his country, doing what he wanted to do, 1,400 mourners were told here yesterday.
"My brother loved this country, believed in Canadian values and believed in freedom," Mark Poland, a Kitchener Crown prosecutor and major in the reserves, said in a testimonial during a funeral service at Temple Baptist Church.
Poland packed up his kit bag and boarded the military flight to Afghanistan "with eyes wide open," said Mark, adding his brother, always independent of mind, was convinced he was doing something meaningful.
During his last meeting with his brother, when they were huddled on a porch smoking "big stinky guitars," Brent asked Mark:
"How would you like to live in a place where women aren't allowed to read and where children have no hope?"
Brent was both nervous and excited about going to a combat zone, said Mark.
He was prepared for anything and said: "If I die on the battlefields of Afghanistan, then that is my destiny."
"His willingness to give his own life makes him a hero," said his brother.
After graduating from St. Clair secondary school, Brent Poland graduated with a history degree from York University and a media arts degree from Ryerson University.
Later, "he had a comfortable job, a comfortable wage and a comfortable apartment, but he wasn't happy," said Mark.
His whole outlook changed after he entered the military, he said, adding his brother became focused and proud of what he was doing.
In a funeral sermon, Maj. Daniel Roushorne, padre of the 31 Brigade in London, said Poland became a member of a military family with collective goals.
"Today, the creed of our civilian society is to look out for number one."
Such values as duty, courage and commitment seem quaint to many but it's the code of the military, he said.
Soldiers don't do what's convenient, he said, adding they make sacrifices for the good of each other and their country.
For the soldier, "it's not about me, but about the guy next to me . . . and about all of us," the padre said.
"The world that you and I inhabit is better because there's people like Brent prepared to live life that way."
Before the service, a group of American Vietnam veterans lined the access road into the church, standing silently at attention with Canadian and American flags.
"We're all brothers," said Charles Stewart of the Patriot Guard Riders, who rode in from Michigan with a dozen compatriots on motorcycles to pay their respects.
"Guys who served understand," he said.
"And we respect what Canadian soldiers are doing in Afghanistan."
Barclay Drive near the church was festooned with rose petals and lined with Canadian flags and people as a military honour guard escorted the body of Poland and the mourners from the church.
Poland was buried in Bear Creek Cemetery south of Sarnia after a procession of cars passed the family farm on Highway 80 near Brigden.
At his final resting place, his parents, Don and Pat Poland, were presented with their son's beret and Afghanistan service medal.
In the church, Maj.-Gen. Walter Holmes presented them with an RCR banner.
Poland was a member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment based in Gagetown, N.B. and currently stationed in Kandahar Province.
A military spokesperson said Poland's mother was previously given a Silver Cross to mark the loss of her son.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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sgt terry hanna ret'd.
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MIKE. That was a profound and gut wrenching ceremony, may i make this observation.......NO GREATER LOVE HATH ANY MAN etc etc etc
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
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Posts: 2023
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Really nice to see thsi Mike ,and thanks for getting it up here for us all....this man along with all the brothers past ,present and future are all the heroes and the real fibreof our country and the world... may God hold them close and dear as i am sure He is...for they have done and do His work...ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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sgt terry hanna ret'd
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........THAN THIS ,THAT HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS AND COUNTRY.....MAY GOD BLEESS THIS HERO AND MAY HE REST IN PEACE.....PLEASE CANADA REMEMBER THIS NATIVE SON HE DID STAND ON GUARD FOR THEE
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