Return of Canadian Armed Forces members from Afghanistan

Their Excellencies joined the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, and Mrs. Laureen Harper, the Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of National Defence, as well as General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, in welcoming back to Canada the last 84 members of the Canadian Armed Forces who were serving in Afghanistan.

His Excellency, as commander-in-chief, greeted the returning troops.

More than 40 000 members served in the Canadian Armed Forces mission in Afghanistan.

"You have served with courage, sacrificed your lives, and endured the extremes both of climate and of separation from family and friends, said the Governor General. "Through it all, you have proved your diligence, your toughness and your compassion for the plight of others."

Loved ones and family members were on-site to welcome the 84 members of the Canadian Armed Forces home from Afghanistan.

Major-General Dean Milner presented the last flag to be flown at the International Security Assistance Force headquarters to Major Jay Feyko from the Soldier On program. From May 4 to 9, Canadians injured in Afghanistan will proudly pass the last Canadian flag flown in Afghanistan from Canadian Forces Base Trenton to the Afghanistan Commemoration Parade in Ottawa, in a relay of six cities in six days. The flag will then be presented to the Prime Minister.