close
close

Semainede4jours

Real-time news, timeless knowledge

New monument in Winnipeg dedicated to the War in Afghanistan
bigrus

New monument in Winnipeg dedicated to the War in Afghanistan

The Winnipeg army reserve unit is remembering Canadians fighting on the front lines with a new tribute.

On Sunday, the Fort Garry Horse regiment unveiled the monument to Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) 3, which was used by the Canadian Armed Forces in Afghanistan during the war.

“LAV 3 was used extensively by our troops in Afghanistan to carry out their missions, often becoming their home away from home,” said Marie Claire Ouellette, general manager of Canada Company, one of the partner organizations in the launch. “They were always supported by the LAV vehicle.”

More than 40,000 regular force and reserve members of the CAF served in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2014, according to the unit. More than 150 people died, including some Manitobans.

“(The monument) honors the service of our Afghan soldiers, but not just the soldiers who served, but also the soldiers who returned, who were injured both physically and mentally,” former Honorary Col. Bob Williams said. “We now have a place where you can nod your head to say thank you.”

Members of the regiment believe the monument is the only monument in all of Winnipeg specifically dedicated to Afghanistan operations.

“We have six soldiers from Manitoba who made the ultimate sacrifice to serve their country in Afghanistan. We will remember that,” Williams said.