A Canadian flag draped over a fallen soldier. Hundreds of silent salutes on a bridge. Some truths are etched in sacrifice, impossible to erase, no matter the power attempting to do so.
Retired Major-General Dean Milner feels the weight of that truth acutely. He vehemently disputes the claim, recently made, that Canadian soldiers lingered “a little back” from the front lines in Afghanistan. It’s a falsehood that cuts deep.
“It’s so far from the truth,” Milner stated, recalling his time as the last commander of the Kandahar base. The cost of that conflict was immense, a shared burden borne by all NATO nations. Over 3,486 soldiers lost their lives – 2,461 American, but over 1,000 from other allied countries.
Milner acknowledges the profound sacrifices made by American troops, having lost eight soldiers under his command. But to diminish the contributions, the losses, of other nations feels like a betrayal of shared history and unwavering commitment.
The memory of those 1,000 fallen soldiers from NATO countries isn’t a footnote; it’s a testament to collective courage. They weren’t observers, they weren’t shielded from danger. They fought, and they died, alongside their American counterparts.
To suggest otherwise, to cast a shadow on their bravery, feels akin to desecrating their memory. It’s a line crossed, a disrespect that demands a response. Canada’s 158 hearses traveling the Highway of Heroes stand as a stark, undeniable counterpoint to such claims.
The assertion that “we’ve never needed them,” and that NATO countries haven’t contributed to world peace, is demonstrably false. From the trenches of World War One to the mountains of Afghanistan, allied forces have stood shoulder-to-shoulder, paying the ultimate price for freedom.
The historical record is clear. Canadian troops weren’t relegated to the sidelines in Afghanistan. They were deployed to the heart of Taliban territory, often leading the fight. Milner himself played a key role in rescuing Afghan interpreters, a dangerous and vital mission.
A correction is needed, an acknowledgement of the shared sacrifice. Forgiveness is possible, but only with a sincere gesture of apology. Trust, once broken, is difficult to rebuild, especially when the lives of soldiers are at stake.
In many conflicts, Canadian and British troops were the first to engage, paving the way for later American involvement. Victory was a collective effort, a testament to the strength of the alliance. To ignore that reality is to rewrite history.
Under the leadership of General Rick Hillier, Canadian forces “never backed down from anything.” That unwavering resolve, that commitment to duty, defines the Canadian military tradition. It’s a legacy that deserves respect, not dismissal.
Canada must stand firm, reminding the world that while American sacrifice has been significant, it hasn’t been solitary. The suggestion that other nations played a passive role is, in Milner’s words, “pure B.S.”
Honour demands truth. And the truth is, the sacrifices made by NATO allies, including Canada, are woven into the fabric of global freedom, a debt that can never be repaid, and should never be forgotten.
