Do reservists understand the dangers?

Lorrie Goldstein, Whitehorse Daily Star, 13 Jul 06

TORONTO - While we in the media are good at questioning

everyone else's ethics, the death of a young Canadian soldier amid

conflicting reports about whether he wanted to be in Afghanistan

raises issues we need to face.

First, how should we treat the combat death of Cpl. Anthony Boneca,

21, compared to the other 16 Canadian soldiers and one diplomat who

have died there, and who have all been portrayed as doing what they

loved?

The ethical answer is that while Boneca's death raises legitimate

concerns about whether our soldiers, particularly reservists,

understand what it means to volunteer for the military today, Boneca

merits all the respect accorded his fallen comrades.

Whatever his state of mind -- and this week, Boneca's mother and

father, through the Defence department, categorically rejected

claims, primarily by the father of his 19-year-old girlfriend, that

he was ill-prepared and distraught, Boneca died with honour.

This was his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. He was just three

weeks away from coming home.

So remember: Boneca did his duty. He did not quit. He did not

desert. He died in the service of Canada.

Since much has been made of claims by others, perhaps less close to

him, the statement by Boneca's parents, Antonio and Shirley merits

emphasis:

"Our pride was in our son, before and after he became a

professional soldier. He was a giving person. He was a leader. He

was the kind of person who was always joking and liked to make

others around him happy.

"Anthony was the first to volunteer in any situation. My son

volunteered to go to Afghanistan.

"Anthony knew what he was getting into. He loved being in the Army

and my wife, Shirley and I, supported our son whole-heartedly.

"In all my conversations with my son, there was never any mention

of him not being well enough or fit enough to carry out his military

duties.

"Recent media reports state that my son may not have been prepared.

His conversations with my family and me indicated he was well aware

of the dangers around him and was committed to the test he had taken

on ... He said it was difficult to cope with the weather, the sand,

and the situation the young children endured. He was proud to make a

difference in their lives ...

"Certainly, Anthony wanted to come home, but I ask what soldier

wouldn't in that situation? There is no question about the extent of

his military training. I know he was well prepared for what he was

sent to do.

"Please respect my family's request for privacy during our time of

grief."

Look at the last line. Will we in the media do that? We, who fought

so hard for the right to attend repatriation ceremonies of the

remains of fallen soldiers?

Word yesterday was that media will be allowed to take pictures of

the return of Boneca's coffin, presumably with the consent of his

parents, but not interview them.

But that's at a military base where access is controlled. What

happens when Boneca's parents go home for their son's funeral, now

that they've been unwittingly thrown into a huge controversy?

Will we be true to our word then?

Finally, there are larger issues here. Do young people signing up

for our military today fully understand what the changed role of our

armed forces from being "peacekeepers" to peacemakers means for

them?

Will we in the media, wherever we stand on Afghanistan, examine

these issues in a way that respects our fallen soldiers and all who

serve?

I hope so. But I wouldn't count on it.