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Afghanistan memorial

THUNDER BAY -- Rob Cutbush wants the city to show the rest of the country it cares and remembers veterans lost in Afghanistan. On Friday, the country is holding the first National Day of Honour for Afghan veterans.
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RCL Port Arthur Branch 5 president Rob Cutbush said Friday's ceremony is about honouring those who served in Afghanistan and their families. (Jodi Lundmark, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY -- Rob Cutbush wants the city to show the rest of the country it cares and remembers veterans lost in Afghanistan.

On Friday, the country is holding the first National Day of Honour for Afghan veterans. Ceremonies are behind held across the country, including one in Thunder Bay at the Afghan memorial monument in the southwest corner of Waverley Park.

As president of the Royal Canadian Legion Port Arthur Branch 5, Cutbush said it is his duty to remember all veterans, but admitted when he first heard about the National Day of Honour, he had mixed feelings.

"There have been comments in the media concerning remembrance of the Cold War veterans - why didn't they get a special day? The Balkans, more recently Libya. We have veterans that were sailing on a ship that were fired upon there. We're asking is there going to be a day for that?" he said.

But Cutbush said he's opting to take the higher road and as a Royal Canadian Legion president it is his duty to honour all veterans.

He expects about 250 people to attend Friday's ceremony, which starts at 1 p.m. However, he said he'd always like to see a bigger crowd.

The ceremony will commemorate the three Thunder Bay soldiers killed in Afghanistan: Cpl. Anthony Boneca, who was killed July 9, 2006 when he was 21 years old; Pte. Robert Costall, who died March 26, 2006 a victim of friendly fire; and Pte. Josh Klukie, 23, who was killed Sept. 29, 2006.

"It's also to remember of Afghan veterans who may be home with wounds either physical or psychological and also to show support for the families of the veterans," said Cutbush.

 





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