Afstan: Thanks to Canadians from allies

A nice post at his blog, Outside the Wire, by Doug Schmidt of the Windsor Star in Afstan (see photo at end of link).

MASUM GHAR — Today was a good day. Had a couple hours to kill after arriving at this military forward operating base overlooking the vast former homeland valley of the Taliban, so went for a little climb. The Canadians spilt much of their own blood taking and holding this steep and craggy bluff in the Panjwaii District during Operation Medusa last fall (something the Soviets' Red Army failed to do against the Mujahedeen two decades ago).

Other Canadian soldiers arriving by convoy in the middle of the night with me last night after a couple days out awoke to a big surprise — the Americans and South Africans who work with the bomb-sniffing dogs here spent that time constructing a giant maple leaf flag using rocks they then painted. It's on a hill overlooking the camp.

"It's our thanks," said dog handler Van Thames of South Carolina. He admits he had "reservations at first" when told he and his dog would be working with the Canadians. But the experience proved rewarding: "I've met a lot of good, life-long friends here, Canadians."

"When I saw it this morning, I thought, 'Wow, that's pretty cool,'" said Master Cpl. Kris Schroeder, an Edmonton soldier attached to the Petawawa-based engineers of 23 Field Squadron. He had a good view from his perch halfway up the steep ridge...

On the same day the dog handlers are putting the finishing touches on their labour of love — white-painted boulders will be placed along the bottom and sport the names of Canadian soldiers killed here — the valley is starting to fill up with people. The growing season is starting and between sunrise and sundown today, an estimated 2,000 more war-exiled residents will have returned to their homes...

H/t to Kim Vachon.