The families of six Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan honoured their memory in an emotional ceremony at Kandahar Air Field on Tuesday.
"It's important for the families to understand where their loved ones were when they died," Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Walter Natynzcyk told CTV's Mike Duffy Live. "It's also important for those soldiers who are there now ... to explain to those parents, to those family members and friends, what their loved ones went through and what they sacrificed their lives for."
In total, 97 Canadian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002.
The families in Kandahar today got the chance to visit the places where their loved ones spent their final days and take part in a Remembrance Day ceremony on the Canadian Forces base.
"It was quite emotionally charged for them," Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson told Â鶹´«Ã½net from Kandahar Air Field, following the ceremony.
"And frankly it was good for us too. It wasn't just the families that got something from this exchange. I think our soldiers also benefited from seeing just how much Canada cares for its fallen."
Albert Graham, whose son Mark was killed last year, laid a fresh green wreath on the cenotaph where his son's name and face have been engraved in stone, along with all the other Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan.
Graham told Bill Graveland of The Canadian Press that he was finally able to see Afghanistan through his son's eyes.
"He said he was proud of his son and the one thing that would remain constant is that Mark would always be his baby," Graveland told CTV's Canada AM.
Another parent said she was finally able to bring her son's spirit home to Canada.
"There was a lot of tears here today; those in uniform, those who were just watching. When you see Remembrance Day in Afghanistan it gives you a whole new appreciation for it," Graveland said.
Despite the losses, the troops continue to "enthusiastically" embrace the mission and stick it out every day in very tough conditions, Thompson said.
"The attitude is one of determination -- determination to get the job done -- and a willing determination. These Canadian men and women are here by their own choice and some on their second, third and fourth tours."
The support from back home is "palpable" even from so far away, Thompson said.
"Regardless of what their opinion is about the mission, it's clear to all of us over here...just how much support there is back home. And it's worth thanking the Canadian public for that."
