Slain Edmonton soldiers praised for dedication

Both of the Edmonton-area soldiers killed in a bomb blast Wednesday in Afghanistan were reservists. In civilian life, one was a teacher, the other a college student training to be an electrician.

Sgt. George Miok, 28, was a member of the 41 Combat Engineer Regiment. Cpl. Zachery McCormack, 21, was a member of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, 4th Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

They were killed along with two other soldiers — Sgt. Kirk Taylor, 28, of Yarmouth, N.S., and Pte. Garrett William Chidley, 21, of Langley, B.C.  — and Michelle Lang, 34, a reporter with the Calgary Herald.

Miok, originally from Sherwood Park, east of Edmonton, was a physical education teacher at St. Cecilia's Junior High School in Edmonton.

"George was a dedicated senior non-commissioned officer who was well liked by his troops," Brig.-Gen. Daniel Ménard said Thursday in Kandahar.

"He planned meticulously and was always available to his troops. The welfare of his soldiers came first and they knew they could turn to him for advice and guidance."

McCormack was also from Sherwood Park. He had been studying to become an electrician at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and was a champion wrestler. 

He was passionate about his family and excited about getting married to his fiancée, Ménard said.

"Zachery was an outstanding soldier and dedicated team member. He was a very caring individual who always lent a helping hand to others," Ménard said. "He always had a way of raising morale by making the rest of the section laugh. He was a great soldier and an amazing friend."

Praised for dedication

In Edmonton, tributes poured in for the two young men. People posted messages on Facebook memorial pages set up for both Miok and McCormack. 

David Moss hired Miok to teach at St. Cecilia's Junior High School.

"Just a very gregarious guy. He came out with a big smile ... very confident. Far beyond, I guess, his 26 years at that point. And the kids really liked him right away," Moss said. "He made a real impact on a number of the kids there."

This was Miok's second time in Afghanistan. He was dedicated to the mission and felt he could make a difference. He also wanted to return to the school when he came back to Canada, Moss said.

"I know he was anxious to get back to Edmonton, get back to St. Cecilia's or another Edmonton Catholic school and he really wanted to continue with his teaching career," he said. The school's students, he added, are "going to be really sad for a while."

McCormack started wrestling in junior high school and won four silver medals in national competitions, said Glenn Purych, head coach at the Salisbury Wrestling Club.

"He was a happy person. He was person who made goals for himself," Purych said. "A person who believed in his country ... he chose to go to Afghanistan because he was proud of being a Canadian and believed Canada made a difference. "

Purych learned that McCormack had enlisted when he showed up for wrestling practice one day in his uniform. The young man had since kept in touch with Purych and sent him emails from Afghanistan.

"I think first I'll remember him as a person who gave his life for freedom," Purych said. "I'll still always look at him and honour him and the commitment that he did give for our country, for our freedom."