July 5, 2009
OTTAWA— My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I learned
with renewed sadness of the death of Master Corporal Charles-Philippe Michaud,
who passed away following injuries incurred in Afghanistan.
Master Corporal Michaud, of the 2nd Batallion, Royal
22e Régiment, based at Valcartier (Que.), was transferred to a
hospital in the City of Québec on June 28, after having sustained serious
injuries in the explosion of an improvised explosive device, hidden by Talibans
insurgents, while conducting foot patrol on June 23.
Attacks in Afghanistan are constant and merciless. Our
patrolling soldiers and those assigned to demining the country are acutely
aware of this and yet go meet danger face to face every day. Their courage
knows no limit; they are totally focused on finding and neutralizing as many of
the deadly devices as possible, on insuring the security of the area, on
protecting civilians as much as is humanly possible. That is their first and
foremost mission.
Master Corporal Michaud is one of the courageous, and
without a doubt, generous soldier whose sense of duty and ability to keep going
despite all adversity command our admiration for the women and men serving in
the Canadian Forces. We imagine today the deep sadness of his parents, his
family, loved ones and friends who greeted him upon his arrival, surrounding
him with affection, sustaining day after day their collective hope that he
would recover from his injuries. We send them our most sincere condolences.
Our thoughts also go to his peers who have lost
another one of their comrades-in-arms.
Michaëlle Jean
-30-
Media
Information:
Annabelle Cloutier
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-993-2569
www.gg,ca
www.citizenvoices.gg.ca