Families, friends and supporters of three soldiers killed in Afghanistan gathered at funerals to share memories and praise.
Hundreds of mourners filed into a sports complex in Kingston, Ont. for a public service Saturday morning for Capt. Matthew Dawe, 27.
A six-piece military band played as relatives, uniformed military men and women, and members of the public entered.
"My brothers and I have one regret as far as our relationship with Matt is concerned," Philip Dawe, one of three older brothers and a military man himself, told the crowd.
"It is the testimonials that we have read and heard over the past 10 days, and the fact that they've provided us with a glimpse of the man who our kid brother had become. We wish so badly that we could have spent more time with this terrific guy."
Peter Dawe, Matt's father and a retired lieutenant-colonel, said his someone who would "laugh as conditions got harder."
He recalled how his son suffered from severe asthma but became a top athlete in school.
"He is often cited as being very approachable to all, very fit, an excellent student displaying the strongest military skills, and perfectly bilingual," Peter said.
"Matt was the real deal."
Dawe's mother Reine said there was a friendly competition among her sons as to who Mom loved the most.
"Well, today, my darling Matt, but only for today, I will allow you to be the favourite son. Je t'aime, Matt," she said.
She pleaded with the troops to not give up on the Afghanistan mission.
Dawe's wife Tara told the crowd how lucky she was Matt chose to spend his life with her.
"At times the pain is so intense I have to be reminded to breathe. When Matt left he took a piece of me with him that I'll never get back. However, I have the greatest gift in the world," she added, pointing towards their son Lucas.
"This beautiful boy is mine and he is the key to my survival."
Other services
Cpl. Jordan Anderson, 25, originally of Iqaluit, Nunavut, was remembered by about 200 people at a private funeral in Ottawa on Saturday afternoon. The funeral for Cpl. Cole Bartsch, 23, took place in the small town of Whitecourt, Alta. about 200 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
About 500 people attended the service. The Pentacostal church was filled to overflowing. Many watched on video in tents outside.
"He always gave his 100 per cent towards everything," said Cpl. Bernie Allan Aguilera. "He was about the best soldier out there."
In a statement, Dennis and Juanita Bartsch, the slain soldier's parents, urged Canadians to continue to support the mission as their son did.
All three men buried Saturday, along with Pte. Lane Watkins, were members of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton.
The soldiers were among six killed on July 4 when their armoured vehicle struck a roadside bomb about 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City.
Funerals for Watkins, Capt. Jefferson Francis and Master Cpl. Colin Bason, the other two soldiers killed, are expected to take place next week.
The services come as public support for the mission dwindles. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has also been advised to tone down his language on topics such as "fighting terrorism" and the 9/11 attacks.
The advice is part of a public-opinion report prepared last month by The Strategic Counsel for Foreign Affairs, according to The Globe and Mail.
In order to counteract apparent fading support for the mission, the report recommends emphasizing peacekeeping, rebuilding and Canada's role in helping to improve the lives of women and children.
The report says only 40 per cent of those sampled across Canada actually support the mission in Afghanistan. In Quebec, support for the deployment was at close to zero.
The report blames "unbalances, mostly negative" media coverage and a lack of understanding about the purpose of the deployment, for the low support.
The report also found many Canadians believe Canada is part of a U.S.-led mission, or that Canada invaded Afghanistan.
With files from The Canadian Press
