Friday, December 08, 2006
Corporal Robert Thomas James Mitchell
3 October 2006
Royal Canadian Dragoons
Killed, when attacked while working on road construction project west of Kandahar.
Mitchell's parents, Carol and Bob, chartered a plane from their home in Owen Sound to join Mitchell's wife, Leanne, and the couple's three children — aged 5, 3 and 2 — in Petawawa. Leanne is studying to become a police officer. The family had moved into a new home not far from the base only days before Mitchell went overseas.
Mitchell, who had been in Afghanistan since early August, was a graduate of Niagara College. The 32-year-old spent part of his youth in Owen Sound, where he attended high school. He joined the military in 2001 and his first posting was with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in Edmonton. This was also his first deployment to Afghanistan and his first foreign assignment. According to military officials, Mitchell was extremely athletic, competing in two high-endurance contests in the military — the iron man competition, which is run out of CFB Petawawa, and the mountain man competition held at CFB Edmonton. Mitchell was "extremely keen and well respected and he liked what he did in the military," said Follwell. "(Mitchell) was dedicated to his family and dedicated to his military career," said his father-in-law, Gary Hass of Fort Erie. Mitchell, Gillam and other Canadians were providing security for road construction about 20 kilometres west of Kandahar when they were attacked.
Robert will be remembered in many ways. To his friends, he was the guy who would cross the finish line of a 50 km Ironman, a smile still beaming on his face, with enough left in him to go for a long jog the next day. To his regiment he was the consummate professional soldier with limitless potential. To us, his family, he was a dedicated father, a loving son, and an amazing husband.
It was pride in this country, respect for his regiment, and his devotion to duty that led Robert to Afghanistan. His support and belief in the importance of the mission was unwavering. As a proud Canadian, he took upon himself the obligation of this nation to help those around the globe less fortunate than we.
His life was one of quiet dedication and service: it was far too short, but far from empty. Those who knew him were enriched by the experience. The world is somehow lesser without him in it.
He will be truly and dearly missed.
Loving Friends and Family
CBC Report about the incident
Insurgents smash plan for joyful reunion (Quoted Here)
Statement from the family of Corporal Robert Thomas James Mitchell - October 10, 2006 (Quoted Here)
Royal Canadian Dragoons
Killed, when attacked while working on road construction project west of Kandahar.
Mitchell's parents, Carol and Bob, chartered a plane from their home in Owen Sound to join Mitchell's wife, Leanne, and the couple's three children — aged 5, 3 and 2 — in Petawawa. Leanne is studying to become a police officer. The family had moved into a new home not far from the base only days before Mitchell went overseas.
Mitchell, who had been in Afghanistan since early August, was a graduate of Niagara College. The 32-year-old spent part of his youth in Owen Sound, where he attended high school. He joined the military in 2001 and his first posting was with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in Edmonton. This was also his first deployment to Afghanistan and his first foreign assignment. According to military officials, Mitchell was extremely athletic, competing in two high-endurance contests in the military — the iron man competition, which is run out of CFB Petawawa, and the mountain man competition held at CFB Edmonton. Mitchell was "extremely keen and well respected and he liked what he did in the military," said Follwell. "(Mitchell) was dedicated to his family and dedicated to his military career," said his father-in-law, Gary Hass of Fort Erie. Mitchell, Gillam and other Canadians were providing security for road construction about 20 kilometres west of Kandahar when they were attacked.
Robert will be remembered in many ways. To his friends, he was the guy who would cross the finish line of a 50 km Ironman, a smile still beaming on his face, with enough left in him to go for a long jog the next day. To his regiment he was the consummate professional soldier with limitless potential. To us, his family, he was a dedicated father, a loving son, and an amazing husband.
It was pride in this country, respect for his regiment, and his devotion to duty that led Robert to Afghanistan. His support and belief in the importance of the mission was unwavering. As a proud Canadian, he took upon himself the obligation of this nation to help those around the globe less fortunate than we.
His life was one of quiet dedication and service: it was far too short, but far from empty. Those who knew him were enriched by the experience. The world is somehow lesser without him in it.
He will be truly and dearly missed.
Loving Friends and Family
CBC Report about the incident
Insurgents smash plan for joyful reunion (Quoted Here)
Statement from the family of Corporal Robert Thomas James Mitchell - October 10, 2006 (Quoted Here)
# posted by Willing Foe : 12/08/2006 08:46:00 p.m.
