afghanistan canada community centre

What follows is a letter from our dear friend Ehsanullah Ehsan, director of the Afghan-Canadian Community Centre
in Kandahar, "a school that owes its existence to the sacrifices of the
Canadian people." I've passed on the letter directly to Canadian Forces
officials in Ottawa and to the editor of the Calgary Herald, so that it
might makes its way to the bereaved families.

To
the Highest Esteemed Families of Ms. Michelle Lang, Sgts. George Miok,
Kirk Taylor, Cpl. Zachery McCormack, and Pte. Garrett Chidley,

I am writing to extend my deepest sympathies to you, the families of
Ms. Michelle Lang, Sgts. George Miok, Kirk Taylor, Cpl. Zachery
McCormack, and Pte. Garrett Chidley, and the government and the great
people of Canada, on behalf of the Afghan men, women children who have
been given the chance to live a peaceful and prosperous life by virtue
of the ultimate sacrifices paid by the Canadian men and women in
uniform serving in Afghanistan. As an Afghan who has had the privilege
of aiding in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, I was deeply saddened
and outraged to hear that the soul of such heroic figures had departed
this world, but deeply believe that their spirit will live on forever
in the legacy of honor, dignity and integrity that they left for the
Afghan people, the Canadians and the world at large. May you know that
your grief is deeply shared by all of us. With every such tragic loss,
we bleed in our hearts.

We have the greatest respect and appreciation for the ultimate
sacrifices made by these heroes, and will always remember their brave
and noble efforts. We admire their sincere and caring services for the
love of humanity, the love of children and the love of the Afghan
people, as well as for the noble purpose of ending the scourge of
terrorism, oppression, extremism and human rights violations in
Afghanistan and around the world. As the Director of the
Afghan-Canadian Community Center in Kandahar, a school that owes its
existence to the sacrifices of the Canadian people, the Canadian
heroes, I will do my utmost to ensure that our students honour Ms.
Michelle Lang, Sgts. George Miok, Kirk Taylor, Cpl. Zachery McCormack,
and Pte. Garrett Chidley's legacy and that our teachers and students
dedicate themselves to a more peaceful and prosperous future for us all.

Please let me know whether there is anything I can do to help during
this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We will
continue to pray for their eternal soul, and that you receive the
strength and courage you require in your time of need. God is with you
and may you receive His blessings of peace, solace and prosperity.

Sincerely, Ehsanullah Ehsan, Director, Afghan-Canadian Community Center.