Sgt. Scott Shipway, 97th Canadian hero killed in Afghanistan

"On behalf of each and every member of the task force, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of Sgt. Shipway,” Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson said. “We are all deeply affected by the loss of our friend and colleague Scott. However, during these sad moments, we also recognize the even greater sorrow is that that his family is going through." I found this fitting song composed by MacPhee, Schram, Howe in my files simply entitled "Ode To The Canadian Soldier "and uploaded to imeem. Please give a listen. The lyrics pay tribute to the men and women who are "Fighting for freedom and staying the course. The latest Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan was less than one week away from the end of his tour when his armoured vehicle struck a roadside bomb in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar around 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Sgt. Scott Shipway was airlifted by helicopter to the multinational hospital at Kandahar Airfield where he was pronounced dead. Seven other soldiers were wounded in the explosion but were all able to notify their loved ones personally. Canada has now lost 97 soldiers on the mission to Afghanistan. Sgt. Shipway's death happened on the day a federal election was called in Canada. The blast in the Panjwaii district happened shortly before two suicide bombers detonated themselves inside the police headquarters in Kandahar city, killing four Afghan police officers and wounding some 31 people. Sgt. Shipway is the 97th soldier to die since the Afghanistan mission began in 2002 and the 11th this year to be killed by an IED. A Canadian diplomat and two Canadian aid workers have also been killed over the course of the insurgency. Sgt. Shipway served as an infantryman with the 2nd battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Man. This was his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. In 2006, he was cited for his quick reaction during a roadside bomb attack in which he secured the area and helped save a fellow soldier's life. Shipway was remembered by his friends as a dedicated father and Saskatchewan Roughriders fan. full story Peace