Last Post
Corporal Michael Starker,
Calgary Detachment, 15 (Edmonton) Medical Company
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A messmate of the Junior
Ranks Club has lost his life on active duty. Corporal Michael Starker, a
reservist with the Calgary detachment of 15 Medical Company, was killed in
action on 6 May 2008 in the Zharey District of Afghanistan. The Calgary
Highlanders extend their deepest sympathies to the family, friends and
comrades of Corporal Starker. In civilian life, Michael Starker was a
paramedic with the City of Calgary Emergency Medical Services.
Starker had
previously served with The Calgary Highlanders and later the Regular Force in both PPCLI and The
Canadian Airborne Regiment. He is the fourth Calgarian to lose his
life in the war in Afghanistan.
For Michael, Eternal Rest grant unto him
and may light perpetual shine upon him. May he rest in peace.
Major the Reverend
Jim Short
Deputy Joint Task Force Afghanistan Chaplain
Ramp Ceremony, 7 May 2008
Corporal Starker was 36 years of age; he began
his military career by enlisting in The Calgary Highlanders in 1989. |
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Fabio Lacentra, currently serving with the
Canadian Forces Medical Services and formerly the NCO in charge of the
Calgary Highlanders Unit Medical Service was interviewed by the Canadian
Press:
Ambush that killed Canadian unfolded steps from base
By Murray Brewster, THE CANADIAN PRESS
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - The ambush that
took the life of Cpl. Michael Starker unfolded within sight of a heavily
defended Canadian forward operating base, much to the horror and dismay of
his fellow soldiers and a long-time friend.
Master Cpl. Fabio Lacentra, 40, had known
Starker for 10 years, serving with him both in the reserves and as
emergency medical technicians in Calgary.
The sharp crackle of the fierce exchange
was the first indication to troops at Masum Ghar, about 35 kilometres west
of Kandahar, that something was up. "We could see it from where we were;
we could see the firefight going on," said Lacentra, a medic with the 15th
Field Ambulance evacuation platoon.
He was standing in the command post when
the base commander ran out and mounted one of the bastion's walls to get a
view of what was going on.
"You could see his concern," Lacentra
recalled in an interview Thursday with The Canadian Press.
The radio began to chatter.
There were wounded.
How bad?
When the answer came back, Lacentra turned
to the soldiers beside him.
"I said: 'You know a gunshot wound is never
a good thing."'
His training as an ambulance technician had
kicked in.
"We knew it was Canadians and I guess I
was, without even consciously doing it, was trying to prepare these guys.
I just said that kind of gunshot wound doesn't end up with a good result."
At the time, Lacentra didn't know it was
his friend, the guy with whom he had worked out at the gym every day
during training in Edmonton, the guy whom he clearly looked up to as a
paramedic, a soldier and a person of "amazing character and strength."
Starker, 36, was evacuated by helicopter to
the NATO military hospital at Kandahar Airfield along with a second
unidentified soldier, who was also wounded. Doctors pronounced Starker
dead at the Role 3 treatment centre.
The ambush on Tuesday, the first shooting
death of a Canadian soldier in direct combat with the enemy in almost 20
months, is still under investigation by military police.
It was very quiet that evening in the vehicle
when Lacentra drove with other troops back to the airfield, where the
majority of Canada's 2,500 troops in Afghanistan are stationed.
Once in a while, the cheerful
Italian-immigrant to Canada, who possesses an easy smile, likes to sing in
the car.
"So when we got just close to KAF actually one
of the guys said: 'Hey Fabio why don't you sing us a song."'
He did, but his heart was only in it for a few
minutes.
His mind was on Starker.
"I kind of knew it was him, but I hoped it was
somebody else. Right? That's not a good thing to say," he added with tears
beginning in the corners of his eyes.
"I didn't believe it was him because I know
how well trained Mike is. He's an ex-sniper. I just kept thinking it was
someone else because there was no way Mike would get shot that way."
Back inside the wire, he heard the news from a
nurse at the Role 3 hospital.
It struck like a bolt of lightning.
He had seen Starker only last Saturday when
they spent four hours together unloading medical supplies.
Since his friend's death, Lacentra has spent a
lot of time thinking about the ambulance calls the two of them
occasionally went on together in Calgary.
There was the time Lacentra had been doing his
practicum and wanted to impress both his instructor and Starker, who was
driving, by inserting an intravenous line in patient as they were rolling
back to hospital. They hit a bump and Lacentra missed.
"And I looked up and said 'Thanks' and he's
looking at me. I pictured it the other day, I could see him. He had his
face . . . turned looking at me with a crook smile."
Lacentra got the lesson: Don't be cocky.
"That was the kind of thing he'd do; he
wouldn't tell you, don't do this and he wouldn't purposely try to make you
fail, but when it did happen, just the look, you could see it on his face.
I should have known better."
Starker, a reservist and ex-paratrooper, had
personal reasons for returning to Afghanistan, Lacentra said.
"He didn't have to be here, but he wanted to
serve," he said.
Lacentra, who served as a peacekeeper in 1992
as the Balkans was coming apart at the seams, is by no means naive about
the risks.
But the sudden brutality of the ambush that
killed his friend is hard to reconcile with the faces of grateful, dirt
poor Afghans who cheer on the Canadians when they pass.
"Watching the firefight changed my
perspective" about the country, he said. "It made things more real."
"You see lots of kids, waving at you; happy
and smiling; even adults. And you don't feel there's any real danger. You
know what's happened. You hear about some of the stuff that's happened,
but you don't feel it at that moment in time."
Promoted
The webmaster is catching
up on a backlog of old photographs provided by Warrant Officer Bailey;
congratulations go to Corporal Henwood and Corporal Venne, captured by the
photographer's lens back in February being promoted by their Company
Sergeant Major, Master Warrant Officer Woods.
Message to
Afghanistan
In response to the birthday
greetings from Afghanistan (see below), the following message goes out
from former Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Warren Spaan:
Drew,
I was pleased to be forwarded your email by LCol Vernon concerning the
upcoming celebration for St. Juliens 2008 in Afghanistan. My job at NDHQ
gives me access to many sources of info that allow me to keep up to speed
on what's going on with the Calgary Highlanders deployed to Afghanistan as
well as to track my son, Cpl Mik M., now serving with the EROC guys. We
have been very fortunate to have spoken with him by phone every Sat
morning since he deployed...keep on the lookout for him as he goes by in
the Cougar! Lastly, the Regimental website kept up to date by Cpl Dorosh
and others is just one more piece of the info picture.
Greetings to you, Drew and to all Calgary Highlanders deployed to JTF
Afghanistan!!! Please feel free to read this to the troops if you'd
like:
Highlanders, you are all doing a bang-up job and are to be commended for
showing the commitment to take so much time away from your homes and
families to undergo the long pre-deployment process leading to an intense
deployment into theatre. The commitment for Reservists, usually lasting
more than a year, is testament to the dedication of all of you as Canadian
soldiers. This is the way it has always been for Calgary soldiers who
through their actions at St. Julien Wood in 1915, and countless other
times when Canada needed them, stepped up to the plate; just as all of you
have done now.
As your former CO, I take every opportunity around NDHQ to speak with
pride about the level of commitment of the large number of Calgary
Highlanders who are now deployed in Afghanistan. I feel great pride in
all you have accomplished and will follow your tour with keen interest.
My own experiences when serving with CSTC-A in Kabul in 2005, tell me that
there are many difficult challenges ahead, but that each day of service
does make a difference to the lives of the people of Afghanistan.
Deidre and I wish you all the best in your tour...keep safe...watch out
for each other...and our best wishes for a happy reunion with your loved
ones!
AIRAGHARDT!!
Yours aye,
Warren
W.J. Spaan
Lieutenant Colonel
Western Hemisphere Operations
Strategic Joint Staff
(Webmaster's note -
Lieutenant Colonel Spaan
commanded the Regiment from 1999-2002)
Photos from Afghanistan
Why are there no last names in this
article? Click here for information on Operational
Security.
 |
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| These are RG-31 vehicles
being cleaned after a Combat Logistics Patrol. At left, Sergeant
Chris T. works in the back of one of the Nyalas.
Captain Peter B. Photo |
Birthday
Greetings from Afghanistan
Why are there no last names in this
article? Click here for information on Operational
Security.
The following message
appeared in the unit lines in April:
Sir,
I just wanted to send a quick word of greeting from the Highlanders in
ROTO 5 National Security Element for the occasion of the Regimental
Birthday and St Julien.
2 Force Protection Platoon has been on the ground for between 1 and 2
months now and is performing its task to a high standard. We are however
looking forward to rotating with our sister platoon onto our other task
shortly. While we've been here the Platoon has gained some valuable
experience that we look forward to brining back to the regiment. As the
26 of the 44 members of the Platoon are Highlanders we are trying to
honour our regimental history while respecting the diversity within the
platoon. To that end as we have five Regiments represented in the platoon
who celebrate birthdays on 1 April we'll be having our own Platoon
birthday celebration. Warrant Officer T. has gone to great lengths to
organize a Platoon BBQ unfortunately, due to other goings on around KAF,
we have been forced to celebrate on 31 March instead of 1 April. In other
Platoon news we have been tasked to give one of our members to the OMLT.
Cpl D. will be leaving KAF for his new tasking in the coming days.
Captain B. is keeping very well in the CMC and seems very happy and
engaged in his work. He recently moved offices which has only served to
increase his productivity. I stopped by today to drop off a great paper
weight to help decorate his new place. Capt B. is also attempting to get
Haggis for a St Julien BBQ on 20 April 2008. I look forward to filling
you in on how that goes. If worst comes to worst we may have to buy a
goat off the local economy and see what we can concoct.
In news outside the NSE I
have seen both Captain P. and Captain B. from time to time around KAF.
Unfortunately the BG keeps (Captain P.) under pretty tight wraps and
he doesn't seem to get out very much. Last time the WO saw him he was
happily toiling away at his assigned task. Capt B. has also stopped by my
office from time to time to say hello and seems quite happy and engaged in
her work.
Sgt H. and MCpl A. stop by from time to time when they're around KAF.
Both are doing very well and seem very happy in their positions.
All in all things for our initial weeks have gone very well. Happy
Birthday, Happy St Js. I look forward to returning to the unit sometime
in the new training year.
Cheers,
Captain Drew B.
Checking In
Why are there no last names in this
article? Click here for information on Operational
Security.
Corporal Angela C.
Hello from KAF!
With the Calgary Highlanders scattered amongst the four winds of
Afghanistan, us here at the Kandahar Airfield have pretty much settled in
at full strength with all but a few guys on the ground. My platoon, the
National Support Element's Force Protection 2 Platoon, have officially
taken over (an entrance) gate here on camp. We took over from our sister
platoon based out of Shiloh, with whom we will be alternating with between
gate and CLPs (combat logistic patrols, or resupply convoys) for the
duration of the tour.
But, for the next while, we are here, providing coordination and security
for all of the incoming and outgoing foot and vehicle traffic coming
through this entry point. Coordination and security sort of oversimplify
what is actually (...or...once in a while...) an interesting and dynamic
task. There are (large numbers of) Afghans coming onto, and then out of,
KAF daily to work for various ISAF/OEF (International Security Assistance
Force/Operation Enduring Freedom) military forces or civilian
contractors. Although generally friendly and knowledgeable about the ECP3
process, this is not always the most predictable group to deal with.
Beyond that, the vehicles and their cargo and drivers constantly create
various situations. Ambulances, VIPs, narshwaar stashes (chewing
tobacco mixed with herbs and often laced with drugs), etc. keep everyone
busy and confronted with the fact that the situation here in Kandahar
changes daily, and the effects of these developments are seen in every
aspect of jobs that we, and everyone else, does.
As far as everyone else goes, Calgary Highlanders (former and current)
seem to be involved in almost every facet of Canadian operations here with
members in, for example, National Security Element Force Protection and
Headquarters, Kandahar close protection team, the OMLT and POMLT, PPCLI
battle group, PSYOPS, C-IED team, and Provincial Reconstruction Team.
Whether in KAF (...probably at Tim Hortons), remote Forward Operating
Bases, or far-off Police Sub-Stations, you are bound to run into a
Highlander almost everywhere .
As for pictures, I and others will be updating this site with more
eventually, however good snapshots are so far for us few and far between.
As those of you who have been to KAF know, it isn't the most picturesque
place you've ever been. More than that, however, is the fact that the
scale of the multinational effort here and the landscape's atmosphere is
hard to capture or grasp in a photograph.
In the meantime, we will keep everyone regularly informed as everyone
settles in and everything heats up (both operationally and
temperature-wise). So, on behalf of all Calgary Highlanders here to all
of those back home, and to all of our family, friends, and supporters, we
wish you all well as I'm sure you do us.
From KAF, until next time,
Cpl Angela C.
Checking In
Sergeant Paul H.
Why are there no last names in this
article? Click here for information on Operational
Security.
Hello from downtown Afghanistan!! Almost everyone is on the ground and
taking responsibility for their respective tasks. For the most part the
flights over were not bad.
I've begun my duties as a section commander
and Master Corporal Dino A. has taken his job as a crew commander.The
weather is somewhat different than Edmonton when we left (read -45 with
wind chill to +15 today I think.) Hydration is the catchphrase for life in
the dustbowl. We had a sandstorm the other day and nothing escaped the
wrath of the sand. Dust on everything. I've never been in a storm like
that.
Our area of responsibility is rather large and
we are constantly busy. Our pace will only get busier as the summer goes
on. I saw Sergeants T. and J. as well as Warrant Officers R.
and T. and Captain B. in their camp during runs out there.
They seem to be in good spirits. I saw Sergeant D. and Master
Corporals J. and M. All Calgary Highlanders in this camp are
well and performing their jobs. I'm busy enough to see them and get a few
minutes to chit chat.
We'll keep our heads as high as common sense
allows, our feet and arms tucked in from the vehicles and sights aligned
for the next 6-8 months.
Later
Sgt H.
Met
Centennial Committee
A small note from behind
the scenes: a regimental Centennial Committee has been meeting for many
months now, with a view to co-ordinating plans for the Regiment's
centennial year. The year 2010 promises to be an exciting one in the local
military community; not only will The Calgary Highlanders celebrate their
100th birthday, but so will the The King's Own Calgary Regiment and 14
(Calgary) Service Battalion. Additionally, the Canadian Navy celebrates
their centennial that year as well, nationwide. A variety of activities
are being planned, details of which will be made available in the months
to come.
Promoted
CO's Parade - 13 February 2008
Congratulations to Major Michael Owens for his
promotion on tonight's brief CO's parade.
Reported in
the Calgary Herald
 They
filter in by the hundreds, a growing wall of camouflage that could circle
several city blocks. They drink Tim Hortons coffee by the gallon, they joke,
slap one another's backs, shed the occasional tear and keep their toddlers
happy by carrying them on their shoulders or swinging them around in
circles.
When they are all assembled
in this giant auditorium, more than 1,000 strong, they are an awesome sight
to behold. And when the national anthem begins and they all stand at
attention, their right arms raised in heartfelt salute, it's a kind of
synchronistic choreography that is dazzling.
In fact, for us regular
civvies present, as those of us not in the military are called, the entire
sight is almost shocking in its depth and breadth as we stand watch over
this historical day. We are left almost speechless in the humbling
experience of being surrounded, as far as the eye can see, by such robustly
healthy, young and clearly dedicated men and women in military uniforms.
We're at Canadian Forces Base
Edmonton, a veritable small city at the northern edge of this big
metropolis. In the military fitness centre on this snowy Thursday afternoon,
history is indeed being made as the latest major deployment of western-based
troops being sent to Afghanistan are feted in a military-style pep rally.
Across the nation, 2,500
soldiers are preparing for an imminent tour of duty in Afghanistan. On this
day, 115 Calgary-based reservists -- more than half of them members of the
Calgary Highlanders, a local infantry reserve unit -- join 1,300
Edmonton-based soldiers, representing one of our city's biggest single
military deployments in at least a half-century. They will depart for
Kandahar in stages starting in February, replacing soldiers from the base at
Valcartier, Que.
As I make my way through the
crowd in search of Calgary soldiers, I'm again struck by something. Once you
get past the intimidating camouflage, the tall frames and wide shoulders,
you realize many of these people willing to put their lives on the line for
this country are barely out of childhood.
Their faces are so fresh, in
fact, that many still have glowing rosy cheeks, acne and a bravado-laden
demeanour that puts an older adult instantly at ease.
"They need the help, I
guess," says 21-year-old Trevor Lewis when I ask him why he's going to
Afghanistan. How does he handle the potential for danger?
"Hey, I just don't worry
about stuff."
Lewis, a graduate of
Calgary's John Diefenbaker High School, says he joined the military because
he wanted "an exciting job right out of high school."
He went to a job fair,
looking to sign up as a firefighter. "But this military guy saw me first,"
he says with a laugh as his buddies tease him about being interviewed by a
journalist.
His fellow Calgary reservist,
20-year-old Shawn Orme, shares the same sort of wide-eyed innocence. Orme
says he grew up with the military in his blood, both grandfathers and an
uncle who served telling him stories about their experiences.
"I'm confident," he says,
before adding, "well, obviously I'm a little nervous."
The older reservists
demonstrate a maturity more in line with their seniority.
"I'm feeling a mix of
nervousness, excitement and impatience," says Steve Klein, a 36-year-old
business analyst with EnCana who joined the reserves in 1990.
Klein says he enjoys the
military for a variety of personal and professional reasons, not least of
which is the challenge of helping the people of Afghanistan rebuild their
shattered country.
"This is what the people of
Canada say is important, to help bring stability to this country," he says.
"We're going to help them, and I personally try not to dwell on what dangers
we might face over there."
On this day, at least, those
dangers seem very far away as people chow down on hotdogs and hamburgers,
while little boys in crisp white shirts run through the crowd carrying
miniature Canadian flags and two inflatable jump rooms are being erected as
a crowd of excited children gather around.
But the men whose job it is
to offer them words of encouragement remind them time and again of the
importance -- and the danger -- of the overseas mission that awaits.
Brig.-Gen. Mark Skidmore
tells them their tour of duty is their gift to Canada. "You are going to
help people who need your strength, bravery and compassion."
Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie,
Canada's top army officer, tells them they are there to uphold Canada's
belief in human rights: "basic rights for women, the innocent and the
helpless."
But both aren't afraid to use
lighter sports-style encouragement, referring to this group of soldiers as
the "A-Team," and likening good soldiering to playing on a champion hockey
team, "never likely to play the perfect enough game . . . but strong enough
to dominate the opposition."
After nearly two hours of
camaraderie and encouragement, I bump into Klein on his way out.
I ask him if this day of pep
talks and recognition has given him a morale boost before he heads off for
his tour of duty.
"To be honest, I think
something like this is more for the families and the kids," he says. "Those
of us who have been training for this, we're more than ready."
And by us, he means not only
thirty-something oldtimers like him, but even those fresh-faced,
just-out-of-childhood soldiers.
Reported to
the Junior Ranks
10th Battalion Calgary Highlanders Association St.
Julien Plan
Lieutenant Colonel (retired)
Lynn Moffat, President of the regimental association, held a briefing for
the junior ranks in the JR's Club on Wednesday 6 February to advise of the
plans for this year's St. Julien's Day commemoration. Due to the training
schedule, the weekend has been moved to April 5th/6th, with events and venue
to be announced, but all ranks were assured that despite the absence of so
many troops on deployment, there would definitely be some form of
commemorative service and dinner. It was also revealed at the briefing that
LCol Moffat has been donating his earning from private piping jobs - about
$5000.00 - to the regimental association fund in the name of the junior
ranks.
Last Post
Walter Eastwood Howard
Born February 12, 1920,
passed away peacefully at the Intercare Chinook Hospice on Sunday, January
20, 2008 at the age of 87 years. He loved his family and is lovingly
remembered by his wife of sixty-two years Peggy, and his daughters Lynda
Howard, Kate Howard, Barbara (Norm) Denoon, and Joan (Dave) Sullivan and
grandchildren, Michael and Ben Porter, Lisa, Karley, and Connor Denoon, and
Tyler and Nicole Sullivan. A native of Calgary, AB, Walter was born on
February 12, 1920. He served overseas as an officer in active combat with
the Calgary Highlanders during the Second World War. He returned home to
convalesce and article with his father H.E. Howard FCA. He received his CA
in 1953, his FCA in 1983, the same year in which he retired as senior
partner from KPMG accounting firm in Calgary. Walter was past chairman of
the A.M.A., served on the executive for the John Howard Society, the board
of Governors of Mount Royal College and Kirby College. He was past president
of the Calgary branch of the Canadian Red Cross Society, and served on the
executive of the Alberta division. Walter was a past member of the Gyro
Club, and past president of the Al Azhar Temple Shriners Mounted Patrol with
whom he rode for thirty years. He was Potentate of Al Azhar Temple in 1974,
and made an honorary Inspector General 33 degree of the Canadian Imperial
Council Scottish Rite in 1971. He was a member of the Royal Order of
Scotland. Walter was a life-time member of Christ Church Elbow Park and
served on the vestry as well as Rectors warden and was past commissioner of
Calgary Branch and Canadian Pony Club. He spent his youth as an active
member of the YMCA. He loved the out of doors, riding, fishing and was one
of the first group of campers at YMCA Camp Chief Hector. He enjoyed a
lifetime membership at the Glencoe Club and his retirement years as a member
of the Bearspaw Golf and Country Club. Funeral Services will be held at
Christ Church Elbow Park (3602 - 8 Street S.W.) on Friday, January 25, 2008
at 11:00 a.m. Forward condolences through
www.mcinnisandholloway.com . In lieu of flowers, the family asks that
memorial tributes be made directly to the Calgary YMCA Strong Kids Campaign,
101 - 3 Street S.W., Calgary, AB T2P 4G6. The family wishes to thank the
staff of Unit 59 of the Rockyview General Hospital, the EMS team, and the
staff at the Intercare Chinook Hospice for their compassion and kindness. In
living memory of Walter Howard, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek
Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Park Memorial Chapel,
5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: 403-243-8200.
Reported
Calgary Highlanders Deploying to Afghanistan
Calgary reservists
ready for Afghanistan (from calgary.ctv.ca POSTED AT 6:23
PM Thursday, January 17, 2008)
In the coming weeks, 115
Calgary soldiers will be heading to Afghanistan.
Over half of the Calgary
soldiers being deployed are from the Calgary Highlanders. This will be the
largest deployment of highlanders since WWII.
“I try not to think about
it, if something does happen in the end I guess we’ll deal with it at the
time. But [we’re] trying to keep a positive attitude. He’s happy, so I’m
happy,” says Derek Rowlandson whose brother, Brian, is about to deploy.
Brian Rowlandson, 22, was
on his way to becoming an RCMP officer when he answered the call for
Afghanistan.
His mother, Ruth, says
learning more about the mission has helped her deal with the worry about her
son.
“I found out about other
things happening over there, how we’re helping people in Afghanistan, so I’m
feeling more comfortable with that. But yeah, I’m scared,” says Ruth.
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