Ramp ceremony held for fallen soldiers, reporter

The bodies of four Canadian soldiers and a journalist killed in Afghanistan are on their way home.

Thousands of soldiers turned out in bright winter sunshine Friday at Kandahar Airfield to bid farewell to the five, killed Wednesday when the vehicle they were travelling in struck an improvised explosive device in the city of Kandahar.

To the mournful strains of a piper, the five were slowly carried to a transport plane for the long flight to Canada. Both soldiers and civilians acted as pallbearers.

The casket of Calgary Herald journalist Michelle Lang, 34, was carried ahead of those of the soldiers:

• Sgt. George Miok, 28, and Cpl. Zachery McCormack, 21, both of Edmonton.
• Sgt. Kirk Taylor, 28, of Yarmouth, N.S.
• Pte. Garrett Chidley, 21, of Cambridge, Ont.

All the soldiers were members of the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team.

Padre Sandy Scott spoke to the rows of soldiers, who struggled to maintain their composure, paying tribute first to Chidley.

"Pte. Garrett Childley, or Chiddles, was known by his superiors as the quiet professional and by his mates as a good listener who had a disarming sense of humour," Scott said.

"Pte. Chidley was the first to his vehicle in the morning and the last to leave at the end of the day. He knew his LAV so well that he could diagnose a problem with touch, sight or sound. He trained hard. He prepared for this mission, and like so many of us, he wanted to make a help difference for the people of Afghanistan."

Reporter wanted to write stories of hope, padre says

Scott called Lang a "rising star in the changing world of print journalism," and said she wanted to cover stories of hope, not just those of misfortune.

"Her unfinished projects resonated with themes that were close to her heart and so typical of Canadian character," he said. "They included articles on Canada's generosity, on education, health care and building a model community through good government."

"I talked with Michelle and she spoke of her fiancé, Michael Louie. She spoke of her love for her family, of a grandfather who was a railroader in Prince Albert, Sask. Michelle wanted to tell the story of a greater truth. She understood the power of hope."

Scott called McCormack "an outstanding soldier and a dedicated team member.

"Zack's life, while focused on our mission, was centred on love — love for his fiancée, Nicole, and love for his parents and family. And like a good partner, son and brother, he spent every moment he could communicating with those he cared about at home."

'Insight, strength and wisdom'

Miok, he said, was a teacher and engineer who "led with insight, strength and wisdom." Back home, Miok taught math and physical education.

"He listened to subordinates, took their suggestions, integrated their ideas into his own and moved forward," Scott said. "He never spoke down to his soldiers. He encouraged them to think for themselves."

"Sgt. Kirk Taylor was a CIMIC (Civil-Military Collaboration) operator. Kirk possessed a calm demeanour, a great sense of humour, and the warmth and hospitality that is native to the Maritimes. He wanted to serve and make a difference in the lives of people who were facing big challenges.

"In Afghanistan, working with CIMIC, he listened to the stories of people in need and he was helping them to make changes that could again bring hope and new life."

In all, 138 Canadian soldiers and two civilians have been killed in the Afghan mission since it began in 2002.