Remembrance Day in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina

An address by Lieutenant-Colonel Yves St-Pierre

At this time on Remembrance Day, the members of Task Force Balkans deployed in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, remember our fellow Canadians who lost their lives in the struggle to bring peace to this country that has suffered so much war, corruption and misery.

More than 25 Canadians lost their lives in the line of duty between 1992 and 2004.

Poppies are rare in the fields here; instead, there are still unimaginable quantities of anti-personnel mines to remind us of the intensity of past conflicts and the dangers of today’s mission.

We would like to express to the families and friends of those who lost their lives here that their sacrifice was not made in vain. Peace is returning to Bosnia-Herzegovina. It’s still fragile, but the people here treasure it.

To allow these folks to live in freedom, pray to their God and speak their languages like people anywhere else — these are the principles and values for which our comrades gave their lives.

Today we remember:

• Sergeant Cornelius M. Ralph, 1 Combat Engineer Regiment, died 17 August 1992
• Master Corporal John W. Ternapolski, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, died 25 March 1993
• Corporal Daniel Gunther, 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, died 18 June 1993
• Corporal Jean-Marc H. Bechard, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, died 6 August 1993
• Sergeant Denis A. Gareau, Canadian Contingent Support Group, died 17 August 1993
• Captain James P. Decoste, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, died 18 September 1993
• Master Corporal Stéphane Langevin, 12e Régiment blindé du Canada, died 29 November 1993
• Corporal David Galvin, 12e Régiment blindé du Canada, died 29 November 1993
• Private Kirk D. Cooper, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, died 6 June 1994
• Master Corporal Mark R. Isfeld, 1 Combat Engineer Regiment, died 21 June 1994
• Corporal Joseph F.Y. Rousseau, 12e Régiment blindé du Canada, died 25 August 1995
• Sapper Chris Holopina, 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, died 4 July 1996
• Bombardier Robert D. Vialette, 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, died 21 July 1997
• Master Corporal Terrence S. McCrea, 2 Service Battalion, died 21 July 1997
• Corporal James W. Ogilvie, The Royal Canadian Dragoons, died 30 August 1998
• Sapper Gilles D. Demarais, 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, died 25 September 1998
• Sergeant H. Jerry Squires, 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, died 23 August 1999
• Sergeant J. Vincent Joubert, 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, died 13 December 1999
• Corporal Robert T. Pollard, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, died 28 September 2000
• Bombardier Gerald K. Bailey, 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, died 27 October 2000
• Lieutenant-General (Ret’d) Gordon Reay, Mine Action Centre, died 13 December 2000
• Mr. Brenton Gertz, ATCO-Frontec, died 29 January 2003
• Corporal Jamie D. Vermeulen, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, died 6 July 2003
• Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph Stéphane Morissette, Multi-National Brigade (North West) Headquarters, died 13 December 2003
• Private Andrew D. Johnson, 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, died 29 January 2004

May they rest in peace. Mission accomplished.

LCol St-Pierre is the commanding officer of Task Force Balkans, deployed in Sarajevo on Operation BRONZE.