Julia K.

Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador

Other

Canada's Role in Afghanistan

My project is on the military role of Canada in Afghanistan. In this project I have learned about the sacrifices our Canadian Forces have made, the difference those soldiers have made in the lives of the Afghan people, and I also explore the question was their sacrifice worth it?

 

 

What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?

The most interesting thing I learned was about Corporal Chad O'Quinn. He was born in my home town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and he loved adventure so he joined the Canadian Forces and did two tours in Afghanistan. On his first tour he had found it boring being a radio operator working inside the wire. So on his second tour he learned to detonate IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) to try to save lives of innocent people. He was doing this job when he was killed on March 3rd 2009.

What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?

The most important lesson is to step in and help out, to do the right thing, and the importance of serving others before yourself. So many Canadian's volunteered to put their lives at risk, leaving their families, and not knowing if they would ever come home. They did this hoping that they could make a better life for people a world away.

How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?

My life is VERY different that of a Canadian soldier. All I have to worry about on a daily basis is going to school, getting to soccer practice, when do I have to be home, etc. Canadian soldiers serving in Afghanistan have much bigger worries ... Will I die today? Will my leg get blown off? If something happens to me who is going to take care of my family?