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January 16, 2010
Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, on the occasion of the death of Sergeant John Wayne Faught
OTTAWA— As in previous weeks, we are mourning once again. At a time when our soldiers are being deployed on an emergency basis to assist a Haitian population devastated by a horrible earthquake, a new and deadly attack in Afghanistan serves as a brutal reminder of the risks our troops face wherever duty calls.
My husband Jean-Daniel and I were deeply saddened to learn that Sergeant John Wayne Faught from the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, Alberta, was killed by an improvised explosive device while conducting a security foot patrol near the city of Nakhonay, in the district of Panjwayi, some 15 kilometres southwest of the city of Kandahar.
Our soldiers – our fine men and women – continue to exhibit uncommon altruism and bravery alongside the Afghan population, who aspire to a normal life, security, justice, and sustainable human development. And Canada, along with all of the allied countries belonging to NATO and operating under UN authority, supports this fundamental aspiration.
Let us come together in our hearts and in our minds and show the utmost respect as we pay tribute to Sergeant Faught’s rare contribution and the ultimate sacrifice that he and his family, friends, comrades and loved ones have made. May they know that all across this land, Canadians feel their sadness. May they know that they are not alone and that our thoughts are with them during this painful time.
Michaëlle Jean
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Media information:
Annabelle Cloutier
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-993-2569
acloutier@gg.ca
www.gg.ca
www.citizenvoices.gg.ca