The body of a Canadian soldier found dead last week at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan was returned to a military base in eastern Ontario on Sunday.
An aircraft carrying the casket of Maj. Michelle Mendes touched down at 2 p.m. ET as hundreds of supporters lined a fence outside Canadian Forces Base Trenton to watch the repatriation.
Mendes, 30, was found dead in her room last Thursday afternoon at Kandahar Airfield. She had recently begun a second tour of duty. Military officials provided few details about her death but said they have ruled out enemy action and are still investigating.
Mendes is the 118th Canadian soldier and third female soldier to die as part of Canada's combat mission in Afghanistan since it began in 2002.
On Sunday, Ray Hellam and his wife, Debbie, felt compelled to drive one hour from their home in Port Hope, Ont., to Trenton to watch the repatriation ceremony in person because Mendes had roots in the area.
The casket containing the body of Maj. Michelle Mendes was carried to a hearse on the tarmac during a repatriation ceremony at Canadian Forces Base Trenton in eastern Ontario on Sunday. (Peter Redman/Canadian Press)Mendes, a graduate of Kingston's Royal Military College, was from Wicklow, a small town near Colborne, Ont.
About 100 family members and military officials lined the tarmac to watch as the flag-draped casket was unloaded from the aircraft and placed in a waiting hearse.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay and the Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Walt Natynczyk attended the ceremony.
Moments later, the brigade of vehicles left the base and received salutes from military supporters and members of the Canadian Army Veterans motorcycle club, who lined the streets.
The procession then proceeded up to Highway 401 and toward Toronto, where an autopsy will be conducted.With files from The Canadian Press
An aircraft carrying the casket of Maj. Michelle Mendes touched down at 2 p.m. ET as hundreds of supporters lined a fence outside Canadian Forces Base Trenton to watch the repatriation.
Mendes, 30, was found dead in her room last Thursday afternoon at Kandahar Airfield. She had recently begun a second tour of duty. Military officials provided few details about her death but said they have ruled out enemy action and are still investigating.
Mendes is the 118th Canadian soldier and third female soldier to die as part of Canada's combat mission in Afghanistan since it began in 2002.
On Sunday, Ray Hellam and his wife, Debbie, felt compelled to drive one hour from their home in Port Hope, Ont., to Trenton to watch the repatriation ceremony in person because Mendes had roots in the area.
The casket containing the body of Maj. Michelle Mendes was carried to a hearse on the tarmac during a repatriation ceremony at Canadian Forces Base Trenton in eastern Ontario on Sunday. (Peter Redman/Canadian Press)Mendes, a graduate of Kingston's Royal Military College, was from Wicklow, a small town near Colborne, Ont.
About 100 family members and military officials lined the tarmac to watch as the flag-draped casket was unloaded from the aircraft and placed in a waiting hearse.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay and the Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Walt Natynczyk attended the ceremony.
Moments later, the brigade of vehicles left the base and received salutes from military supporters and members of the Canadian Army Veterans motorcycle club, who lined the streets.
The procession then proceeded up to Highway 401 and toward Toronto, where an autopsy will be conducted.With files from The Canadian Press
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