Pte. Michael Bruce Freeman

by Don Bell
(Peterborough, Canada)

My hometown has now lost two brave men. Private Michael Bruce Freeman, 28, is the second Canadian soldier from Peterborough, Ontario to be killed in Afghanistan in 2008. He was killed on Boxing Day, December 26th, while on his first tour of Afghanistan as a member of November Company, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment from CFB Petawawa.

Pte. Freeman died when his armoured vehicle struck a roadside bomb while on a routine security patrol in the Zhari District of Kandahar. Three others were wounded in the blast, and two more Canadian soldiers were killed the next day by a bomb while on a similar patrol. All told, nine Canadian soldiers were killed in Afghanistan in December 2008, the deadliest month for Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan since April 2007.

On December 30th, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General and Commander-In-Chief of Canada joined with grieving family members for a repatriation ceremony when the bodies of Pte. Freeman and his fallen comrades, Warrant Officer Gaetan Joseph Roberge and Sgt. Gregory John Kruse, arrived at CFB Trenton. For those who are unfamiliar with our governing system, Canada's Governor General is the vice-regal representative of the Queen of Canada, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

After the ceremony the bodies of the three fallen soldiers were taken to Toronto by motorcade along the 172-kilometer stretch of Highway 401 that's been renamed "The Highway of Heroes," where thousands of Canadians lined the many overpasses and access ramps along the route to pay their respects in the winter cold.

It was reported in the local newspaper that Pte. Freeman took with him to Afghanistan a familiar prayer that hung on the wall while he was growing up: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

It was said by his friends that he displayed professionalism and dedication in his mission and that he desired to make a change for the better in the lives of Afghans and their children.

Canada will not forget his sacrifice.