Quebec soldier latest hero lost in Afghanistan

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. Trooper Karine Blais was killed Monday when the vehicle she was travelling in hit an improvised explosive device in Shah Wali Kowt, north of Kandahar City. Karine Blais lived life in a small town, but she had big dreams. She grew up in the Quebec riverside village of Les Méchins, and became a familiar face in the community while working in the local convenience store. She wanted to return one day to build a house there. But it was her desire to join the army, so that one day she could drive a tank and become a mechanic, that ensured she would never return to the place she loved. On Monday, the 21-year-old died in a roadside bomb explosion in Afghanistan, just two weeks into her first tour of duty there. Blais was killed while riding in an armoured vehicle in the Shah Wali Kot District north of Kandahar city. She was serving with the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment battle group, based at Valcartier, Que. Four other soldiers were hurt in the blast. She is the 117th Canadian soldier to die in the Afghan mission since 2002 – and the second woman – the majority of whom were killed by roadside bombs. Capt. Nichola Goddard of Calgary, who was killed in battle in May 2006, was the first woman killed in Afghanistan. After graduating from the Polyvalente de Matane high school in a nearby town, Blais went directly into the army. She was stationed at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, near Quebec City, and has been with the forces since 2006. Peace.