The bodies of two Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan earlier this week arrived back home on Thursday afternoon.
The remains of Master Cpl. Pat Audet, 38, and Cpl. Martin Joannette, 25, arrived at CFB Trenton at 2 p.m.
The families of the two soldiers were joined on the tarmac at the base by Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Walt Natynczyk.
Audet served with the 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron and Joannette with the 3rd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment. Both were based in Valcartier, Que.
Some of the people who turned out on bridges over the Highway of Heroes Thursday afternoon brought with them Quebec flags, to honour the returning soldiers.
The soldiers were killed Monday when their Griffon helicopter crashed northeast of Kandahar City.
A British soldier was also killed and three other Canadian soldiers were injured.
The Canadian Press reported Wednesday that the crash occurred when the helicopter, blinded by a dust storm, clipped a security wall. The military is currently investigating the exact cause of the crash.
Joannette's family issued a statement Thursday saying his loss has left a huge void in their hearts.
His wife, Marie Eve Dionne, recalled her husband's big smile and infectious sense of humour.
Audet is also survived by a wife, Katherine.
Ben Walsh, whose son Master Cpl. Jeffrey Walsh was killed in Afghanistan on August 9, 2006, said the repatriation ceremony is one of the most emotional times for a fallen soldier's loved ones and expressed his condolences to the Audet and Joannette families.
"Our soldiers are Canadian protectors and whether they're protecting Canada or they're on a mission, they're still fighting for us, for Canadians," Walsh told Â鶹´«Ã½ Channel on Thursday.
After the repatriation ceremony, the bodies of the two soldiers will be driven along the portion of Highway 401 known as the "Highway of Heroes," to the coroner's office in downtown Toronto.
The deaths bring to 124 the number of Canadian troops killed since the Afghan mission began in 2002.
