Dec 23 – 28 – Christmas in Afghanistan – For the third year in a row, Laurie traveled half way round the world from Edmonton to Kandahar to spend Christmas with the troops.  Travelling with Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay and Chief of the Defence Staff General Walt Natynczyk, the team visited Kandahar Airfield and six other forward locations.  Everywhere they went, the morale and determination to get the mission done right was clearly evident.  A lot of time was spent in helicopters belonging to the Dutch, American and British forces, which made the stand-up of the new Canadian Air Wing all the more satisfying.  The team flew the first trip in our new (used) Chinook helicopters and was escorted by two Griffon helicopters from Edmonton’s 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron.  Laurie addressed hundreds of troops and civilian workers and presented an autographed Edmonton Oilers jersey to a deserving “Strathcona”.  He also delivered two parcels of letters and Christmas cards from Edmonton school children.  A meeting was also held with the new Governor of Kandahar,  Tooryalai Wesa, who is also a Canadian citizen.  Despite the continuing sacrifice by Canadian soldiers, progress was evident everyone is committed to helping the Afghan people and their country to a better tomorrow.  Altogether, Laurie covered 24 time zones and was happy to join his family in Vancouver for a belated family Christmas.

Arriving in Kandahar

Talking to the troops

With new Kandahar Governor Wesa

"Planning" with Don Cherry

With civilian personnel of the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency at Tim Hortons

Oiler jersey to Cpl Phil Sephton

Playing mailman for Edmonton school children

Meeting the local Afghan National Army Commander

Looking  for the pilot seat in our new Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Press conference after first Chinook flight