: THE DEAD AND THE WOUNDED YV Introduction The four men got into their G-Wagon, “Stay awake!” he said to himself re- Focus took their position in the military con- peatedly, commanding his traumatized This News in Re- voy and began the journey back to mind and body to remain conscious. view story exam- Camp Nathan Smith. It was another Corporal Jake Petton arrived at ines the Canadian casualties of war in successful meeting between members Franklin’s side and applied a tourniquet Afghanistan. With of ’s Provincial Reconstruction to the wounded man’s leg. Franklin, an 45 Canadians (44 Team (PRT) and village elders in the army medic, had taught Petton how to soldiers and one outlying regions of . This time apply a tourniquet properly just three diplomat) killed so the Canadians had senior diplomat Glyn days earlier. As it turned out, Petton’s far in the Afghan conflict, and hun- Berry with them to see the effects of skillful procedure was credited with dred of others their efforts among the Afghan people. saving Franklin’s life. wounded, many The military convoy weaved its way The suicide bombing that took the life people are search- through the rural roads on the outskirts of Glyn Berry and seriously injured ing for ways to of the city before turning into Kandahar Paul Franklin, Jeff Bailey, and William honour those who enroute to PRT headquarters. Master Salikin occurred on January 15, 2006. It have died as well as ways to provide Corporal Paul Franklin had just driven was a horrifying incident that, much to care for those who his G-Wagon past a taxi stand when he the dismay of Canadians, signaled the have returned noticed a vehicle speeding toward him. gruesome beginning of a year that saw home with injuries. It happened in an instant. The taxi 36 Canadian soldiers killed in the smashed into the side of the G-Wagon, Afghan province of Kandahar. The setting off a massive explosion as the number of deaths proved alarming for YV Sections seven rockets of the car bomb ripped many Canadians. In the summer of marked with this the Canadian vehicle apart. The convoy 2006, almost daily reports of deaths or symbol indicate came to a halt. Soldiers poured out of injuries in Afghanistan dominated content suitable for younger viewers. the vehicles not directly hit by the media news cycles. Flag-draped coffins suicide bomber; some secured the area of fallen soldiers being loaded onto in the event of a follow-up attack, while Hercules C-130 military planes at others checked the status of the occu- Kandahar Airfield became the signature pants of the target vehicle. image of the war in Afghanistan. Four bodies were found: diplomat The events of January 15, 2006, and Glyn Berry was dead; Corporal Jeff the subsequent string of military deaths Bailey and Private William Salikin that followed, put the spotlight on the were alive but suffering from traumatic repatriation of Canadians killed in head wounds; Master Corporal Paul Afghanistan and the medical treatment Franklin was also alive but in grave given to the wounded. Canadians grew condition. Franklin was conscious when accustomed to ramp ceremonies of he landed almost 50 metres from the caskets being loaded onto military vehicle he had been driving. He imme- planes followed by similar images of diately felt a burning sensation around caskets being taken off planes back here his head. Realizing that his hair was on in Canada. These images—of the dead fire, Franklin ripped his helmet off and soldiers brought home to be mourned subdued the flames. With the fire put by grieving families and a grieving out, he looked to his side and noticed nation—were new and very difficult for his left leg lying some distance away. Canadians to digest. This process of

CBC News in Review • January 2007 • Page 21 repatriation is seen as a generous and the CF are successfully showing their Definition fitting tribute to the fallen soldiers. personnel they will be provided for in Repatriation in this However, many wonder: if the only the event of a traumatic incident. case means bring- ing someone back images of the war in Afghanistan Meanwhile, as Canadian troops to their country of Canadians are seeing are of coffins, prepare for a new rotation in Afghani- origin. In this case, how can the government expect to find stan, politicians continue to debate the the bodies of the public support for the war? A satisfac- mission. In late January 2007, a group victims of war are tory answer has yet to surface. of MPs visited Kandahar in a morale- brought home to their families. In terms of the wounded, Canadian boosting and fact-finding mission. soldiers, whether injured or ill, are Canada’s politicians are well aware of treated at the Kandahar Airfield Hospi- the troops’ sacrifice and success in tal. Embedded media sometimes pro- Operation Medusa in fall 2006. While vide a snapshot of a soldier being taken the troops were able to take control of off a military vehicle on a stretcher and the Panjwai district just outside rushed into the field hospital. The Kandahar, the work in winning the hospital is well-equipped and well- hearts and minds of the citizens of the staffed to deal with myriad trauma region still continues. This process was cases; the outstanding work of the moved forward in mid-December when doctors and the nurses at the hospital is the British-led Operation Falcon Sum- credited with saving many lives. In mit was initiated. This latest effort is a some cases, if more serious medical combination of fighting the remnants of attention is required, soldiers are flown the and negotiating with tribal to Landstuhl medical facility in Ger- elders. Since the beginning of Opera- many, a huge U.S.-run military hospital. tion Falcon Summit, no Canadian Once the soldiers are well enough they troops have been killed in action. are returned to duty in Afghanistan. If Canada’s successful diplomatic and they require further medical attention reconstruction efforts will certainly set they are flown home. the minds of politicians at ease, but the Many military analysts are commend- fighting season in Afghanistan begins ing the Canadian Forces (CF) for their again in the spring. Positioned in the professionalism in dealing with the most volatile province in the country, dead and wounded. The repatriation of Canadian troops will have to remain the dead is seen as a principled and just vigilant if they hope to avoid a repeat of way to honour the dead. The swift and the death toll of 2006. Meanwhile, skillful work of doctors and nurses, politicians will have to guard the inter- whether in Afghanistan or abroad, has ests of the men and women of the been seen by many as appropriate and, Canadian Forces and their constituents at times, exceptional. In other words, across Canada.

Questions 1. What happened to Master Corporal Paul Franklin and the passengers riding in his G-Wagon on January 15, 2006?

2. How was Paul Franklin able to survive his traumatic injuries?

3. The article suggests that, if the only images people see of the war in Af- ghanistan are of caskets being loaded onto planes, support for the war will always be weak. What could the military do to change this image? How could the military use the media to change this perspective?

CBC News in Review • January 2007 • Page 22 AFGHANISTAN: THE DEAD AND THE WOUNDED YV Video Review

1. What sight has brought home the dangers of the mission in Afghanistan? Watch the video and answer the questions in the 2. What do you think Master Corporal Paul Franklin means when he says, “I spaces provided. want the old person back”?

Did you know . . . 3. What happened to Paul Franklin on January 15, 2006? NATO military intelligence experts expect that the 4. How has his life changed since this event? Taliban will launch a major attack against Canadian 5. What emotional and physical challenges will Paul Franklin face as a result troops in spring of his experience in Afghanistan? 2007. It appears that the Taliban may send 15 000 6. How has Franklin dealt with his injuries? What efforts has he made to get heavily armed his life back to normal? soldiers into the region.

7. What medical advances have helped Franklin to walk? Be specific.

8. How has Audra dealt with her husband’s injuries? How is Franklin’s son coping with his father’s injuries?

9. Why are the Franklins willing to be in the public eye when it comes to Paul Franklin’s injuries? What message are they trying to share with Cana- dians?

10. Why does Audra worry about her husband’s emotional and psychological reactions since returning from Afghanistan?

11. What challenges do you think Franklin will face in the future?

CBC News in Review • January 2007 • Page 23 AFGHANISTAN: THE DEAD AND THE WOUNDED Treating the Wounded

When the G-Wagon driven by Paul right leg. After cleaning the leg as well Further Research Franklin was attacked by a suicide as they could, doctor’s discovered that The Landstuhl bomber in 2006, the intricate process of Franklin was suffering from a severe Regional Medical Center is among ensuring the soldier’s survival was put bacterial infection as well as the effects the world’s most to the test. Moments after the bomb- of an Afghan microbe, which were impressive medical laden taxi used against Franklin’s compromising the health of his leg. facilities. It is vehicle exploded, the training of the They used a device to give vacuum- located in Ger- Canadian Forces kicked into high gear. assisted wound therapy to try to contain many. You might While soldiers from the unaffected the infection, and performed 21 surger- consider a cyber- visit to this facility vehicles checked on the three other ies to try to save his leg. By the time he by going to occupants of the vehicle, Corporal Jake was transferred back to Canada, doctors www.landstuhl.health Petton made his way over to Franklin. were hopeful the leg could be saved. care.hqusareur.army.mil. Three days before the incident, Once home, Franklin began treatment Franklin, an army medic, had taught at the University of Alberta Hospital in Petton how to apply a tourniquet. Petton Edmonton. Doctors performed a num- applied the tourniquet with precision, ber of surgeries, valiantly trying to save saving Franklin’s life in the process. his leg. Eventually it was Franklin Franklin’s injuries were quite serious. himself who made the decision to His left leg was severed as his body was amputate his infected limb. He deter- catapulted from the G-Wagon after the mined that, even if there were more explosion. When he landed—50 metres surgeries and the surgeries were mod- from the blast sight—he ripped off his estly successful, the odds of contracting helmet and put out the fire that was another bacterial infection were high spreading though his hair and onto his and his chances of walking on a func- face. He suffered second degree burns tioning right leg were slim. His back- to his hands and his scalp while extin- ground as a trained army medic gave guishing the flames. As well, his right him the confidence to know he was leg was broken in several places. By the making the right decision. So he told time he was transferred to the hospital the doctors to amputate his leg. at Kandahar Airfield, Franklin was in Now a double amputee, Franklin grave condition. Doctors worked to went to Edmonton’s Glenrose Rehabili- straighten his right leg (it was folded tation Hospital to learn how to function underneath him when Petton arrived at without legs. Eventually the army had Franklin’s side) and readied him for him fitted for two prosthetic C-Legs. transfer to the U.S. military hospital in With practice, Franklin was able to Landstuhl, Germany. walk about a kilometre but he was often The Landstuhl Regional Medical exhausted at the end of the journey. Center is the largest American hospital Paul Franklin is a casualty of war. His outside the . The facility’s injuries are now a driving force behind mission is to provide first-class medical the way he lives his life. He and his care to U.S. troops and allied troops like wife, Audra, are working to raise Canada’s Paul Franklin. When Franklin awareness and support for Forces arrived, U.S. medical personnel went to personnel injured in the line of duty. work on repairing his severely injured Often people will know the names of a

CBC News in Review • January 2007 • Page 24 soldier killed in an incident but will not doctors’ expectations in the process of have any recollection of the three or adapting to life as a double amputee. He four soldiers injured in the same inci- hopes to help train soldiers in tactical combat dent. Their hope is to keep the wounded casualty care at the in in the minds of compassionate Canadi- Edmonton to ensure that the healing of ans. wounded soldiers is as effective for future Franklin can say he has exceeded his casualties as it was for him.

Questions 1. Describe the injuries sustained by Paul Franklin while serving in Afghani- stan.

2. What steps did doctors and nurses in Afghanistan and Germany take to save Franklin’s life?

3. What factors influenced Franklin’s decision to have his right leg ampu- tated?

4. How is Franklin able to walk today?

5. What is Franklin doing now?

6. What is your opinion of Paul Franklin?

7. What impact does this type of injury have on the families of soldiers?

8. Is there anything other Canadians can do to help soldiers who have made great personal sacrifices in Afghanistan? Offer your specific suggestions.

CBC News in Review • January 2007 • Page 25 AFGHANISTAN: THE DEAD AND THE WOUNDED YV Repatriation: Then and Now

Historically, soldiers killed overseas during the Vietnam War. Canada Did you know . . . have not had their bodies transported adopted the process of repatriation in For a brief time, back to Canada. The process of bring- various overseas missions of the past 40 the Harper govern- ment banned the ing the dead home for funeral services years. It is interesting to note that media from Cana- is called repatriation. In the First and approximately 120 Canadian peace- dian bases during Second World Wars, as well as the keepers have been killed since repatria- repatriation cer- Korean War, Canadians killed in action tion began. These repatriations received emonies in Canada. were buried as close to where they died very little media attention. Meanwhile, Bowing to public as possible. This was done mostly in the past year, every single flag- pressure it then reversed the deci- because it was logistically difficult to draped coffin that the media have been sion, saying that it try to bring so many dead soldiers home allowed to film has made it onto televi- was the family’s to Canada. However, war has changed sion screens across Canada. decision whether or considerably since the mass conflicts of It seems that Canadians have entered not to include the the first half of the 20th century. The a new era of honouring their military media. Since that time, no family has casualty rate has dropped dramatically dead. Remembrance Days are about to prevented the with advances in long-range weaponry take on a different tone as veterans of media from attend- and medical procedures to aid the the war in Afghanistan take their place ing a repatriation wounded. Also, many of the casualties at war memorials across Canada to ceremony. in the two World Wars and the Korean honour their fallen comrades. While the War died from diseases caught while words of John McRae in his poem “In working in unsanitary conditions in Flanders Fields” still capture the heart- close quarters with other soldiers. To breaking essence of war, Canadians are put it simply, there are not as many striving to find a way to develop a fallen soldiers to bring home in modern heartfelt understanding of the new conflicts. approach to honouring those killed in Things changed when the U.S. set the combat. precedent of repatriating the dead

Activity 1. Read the poem “In Flanders Fields” on the next page. Highlight the parts of the poem that speak to you the most. Why do they speak to you? What do they describe? How do the words make you feel?

CBC News in Review • January 2007 • Page 26 In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders Fields

– John McRae Source: Veteran Affairs Canada (www.vac-acc.gc.ca)

2. Write a poem of your own. Use the article entitled “Honouring the Fallen” from this News in Review story to familiarize yourself with the repatriation process. See if you can capture the modern heartache in the same way that John McRae captured the pain of the First World War.

CBC News in Review • January 2007 • Page 27 AFGHANISTAN: THE DEAD AND THE WOUNDED YV Afghanistan: Then and Now

Read the chart below and complete the activity that follows.

Theme 2001 2006

Democracy - Taliban authoritarian rule - Several branches of government - No elections established - Elections for various positions held - President elected – Hamid Karzai - National Assembly elected - Constitution ratified – 2004 Equality - Women shut out of government - Women hold 25% of the seats in the and schools National Assembly - 4 in 10 children in Afghan schools are girls Health Care - 8% of public with access to health care - 80% of public with access to health care Education - 1 000 000 children enrolled in school - 6 000 000 children enrolled in school - 4 000 students enrolled in higher - 40 000 students enrolled in higher education education - 1 000 new schools built Economy - The poorest nation in the world - Still very poor but the economy has tripled in size and per capita income has doubled Population - Taliban drove out many Afghan - 400 000 refugees have returned nationals - 2 000 000 refugees in neighbouring countries Source: Toronto Star, “NATO making a difference in Afghanistan,” November 10, 2006 Analysis Pick three categories that you feel demonstrate the most promise for an emerg- ing Afghanistan. Write a 150-250-word paragraph explaining why you think these gains are encouraging for the Afghan people.

CBC News in Review • January 2007 • Page 28 AFGHANISTAN: THE DEAD AND THE WOUNDED Honouring the Fallen

The following is a fictitious description comfort as they could. Those who of the process of honouring soldiers stumbled upon the dead soldier quickly killed in action in Afghanistan from the moved their fallen comrade away from time of death to the repatriation of the the wounded men and covered the body in Canada. body. Several soldiers took on the gruesome task of collecting anything The suicide bomber delivered his else that might belong to the dead deadly payload with enough precision soldier, while another soldier retrieved to kill a Canadian soldier, three inno- a body bag from his vehicle for the man cent bystanders, and injure 20 others— who had died. The soldiers had no time with three Canadians among the to mourn. They were in a war zone. wounded. He drove his explosive-laden Once the area was deemed secure by car into the Canadian military G- Canadian soldiers, the dead soldier and Wagon, detonating the car-bomb at his wounded comrades were moved by impact. The explosion was massive, LAV-III to a casualty collection point. sending debris over 100 metres and Medics worked on the wounded to catapulting the bodies of the soldiers in prepare them for transfer to Kandahar the target vehicle almost 50 metres Airfield hospital via U.S. Blackhawk from the point of impact. helicopter. The helicopter arrived, the As is the custom when travelling in three wounded soldiers and the one Kandahar, the Canadians were moving dead soldier were loaded onto the through town in a military convoy. The Blackhawk, and the journey to the G-Wagon was second in a line of four NATO base at Kandahar Airfield vehicles. They were moving through began. When the helicopter landed, the Kandahar at a pretty fast pace—70 km/ wounded were rushed to the hospital hour. It was hoped that the high speed building while the body bag of the dead would lessen the chances of getting hit soldier was taken to the morgue. by an improvised explosive device By the time the dead soldier arrived (IED) but, in this case, the suicide at Kandahar Airfield, military officials bomber was able to use his car like a were aware of the tragedy that had guided missile, smashing into the befallen the man and his comrades in Canadian vehicle with deadly effi- the convoy. Preparations were made for ciency. the ramp ceremony—a moving service The explosion rattled and reverber- where Canadian soldiers are given a ated through the three other vehicles in few moments to grieve the passing of a the convoy, but, with no time to let the friend and colleague. The dead soldier effects of shock set in, the Canadian was transferred to a steel casket that soldiers sprang from their positions, was then draped with a Canadian flag. with some seeking out the wounded A Hercules C-130 was prepared to while others stood, weapons at the transfer the soldier to Canada’s Middle ready, scouting the area for a possible East hub at Camp Mirage in the United follow-up attack. Those who made their Arab Emirates. way to the wounded gave them as much Word travelled fast among the Cana-

CBC News in Review • January 2007 • Page 29 dian soldiers in Kandahar. News of a his closest relatives prepared the family comrade’s death heightened tension to receive their dead husband, brother, among the 2 500 stationed in Afghani- and son at CFB Trenton in Ontario. stan. Meanwhile, military leaders at the When they arrived at the base, they base were careful to pick the best time were ushered to a VIP reception area for the ramp ceremony. The time of the where dignitaries, including the Minis- ceremony was kept relatively quiet ter of Defence gave their condolences. since too much advanced notice of Then the soldier’s long journey home ceremonies in the past had led to insur- came to an end when the Airbus gent attacks on the base. touched down. Two chaplains—includ- When the time came, 500 soldiers ing the one who delivered the bad gathered on the tarmac. A LAV-III news—accompanied the family to greet armoured vehicle arrived with the the plane. While the casket was lowered casket. Eight of the soldier’s closest by hydraulic lift from the Airbus’s friends removed the flag-draped casket cargo hold, a bagpiper played. It was an from the vehicle and, carrying their emotional moment. As the body of the friend on their shoulders, proceeded soldier was loaded into a waiting between two columns of soldiers sev- hearse, the soldiers present at the recep- eral ranks deep toward the waiting tion held a salute. The family ap- Hercules C-130. Before they made their proached the soldier’s body, placing first steps, an officer gave the com- flowers on the casket, and saying some mand, “To your fallen comrade, salute.” quiet prayers. The next phase of the A chaplain followed the pallbearers mourning process—the family fu- between the columns of saluting sol- neral—would now begin. diers, and a blessing was given once on From the aftermath of a violent board the aircraft. Finally, a number of incident on a dusty street in Kandahar the soldier’s friends boarded the plane to the peaceful confines of a hearse on for a private moment prior to departure. the tarmac at CFB Trenton, the soldier’s The Hercules C-130 made its way to body was treated with reverence and Camp Mirage. The casket of the soldier dignity. Mourners in Afghanistan would was then transferred to a waiting Cana- have to delay their grief until they were dian Forces Airbus to begin a two-day finished their mission. At home, the trek back to Canada. While the flight family would need to digest the magni- was in the air, the assisting officer who tude of their loss almost immediately. had been working with the family since a senior officer and chaplain had deliv- Source: Toronto Star, “The most wrenching mission of all” and “No ered the news of the soldier’s death to soldier left behind,” November 11, 2006

Questions 1. Why was the bomb-laden car described as a guided missile?

2. Why do you think the soldiers moved the body of the dead soldier away from the wounded men?

3. Do you think the soldier was treated with dignity from the point of his death to the repatriation of his body in Canada? Explain.

CBC News in Review • January 2007 • Page 30 AFGHANISTAN: THE DEAD AND THE WOUNDED YV Activity: Red Fridays

In 2005, a group of people in the United States were looking for a way to show Did you know . . . support for troops serving in the military, whether at home or overseas. Some- The Canadian times feeling at a loss for an appropriate way to honour those willing to make Forces is sending six the ultimate sacrifice, several people came up with a simple way to pay tribute CF-18 fighter jets to to the women and men of the U.S. military: by wearing something red on Afghanistan to Fridays. A year later, a few Canadian soldiers’ wives adopted the idea and help in the war started a “Wear Red on Friday” campaign in Western Canada. Since then the effort. campaign has taken on a momentum of its own, with many organizations throwing their support behind the initiative. Organizers stress that, by wearing red on Friday, people can show their support for Canadian troops. It is a gesture of goodwill and hope for a safe return for people on overseas missions. It is not necessarily a reflection of whether one is for war or against war, and Red Fri- days proponents insist that the initiative is not a political movement.

There is no real central organization in charge of what has come to be known as Red Fridays in Canada. Some groups voluntarily post their information on a Web site called Red Fridays of Canada (www.redfridays.ca), but overall the call to wear red on Fridays is a grassroots movement designed to show support for people serving in the military.

Evidence of the growing awareness of the Red Fridays movement was seen in Ottawa in September 2006 when 10 000 people attended a rally on Parliament Hill. The sea of red inspired a number of other rallies across Canada. Your Task Step 1 As a class, discuss the pros and cons of the Red Fridays movement. List the pros and cons in your notebook. Take a class vote: would you support the wearing of red on Fridays at your school to show support for Canada’s troops? Your teacher will tally the votes of those for and against. Step 2 Research the Red Fridays movement. Examine the work of local and national groups making the call to wear red on Fridays. Answer the following questions in your notebook: • Do the Red Fridays organizations support specific military campaigns? • Are they aligned with a political party? • Are they pro-war or anti-war? Step 3 After conducting your research, revisit Step 1 and see if anything has changed. The same question can be posed to the class. Note any shifts in the number of people for or against the idea. Step 4 If your class supports the ideas of the Red Fridays movement, organize a “Wear Red on Friday” event at your school. Go to www.redfridays.ca for directions on how to organize the day. Remember to keep it simple. Don’t forget, the move- ment started with a few people picking red items from their closet to wear in honour of people serving in the military.

CBC News in Review • January 2007 • Page 31