Twenty years ago, they believed they were making history.
“It happened 9-11 and it’s like we’re there in Afghanistan four months later, and it really mattered and people were really interested,” said Alex Watson, a captain at the first deployment in Canada, now retired and working as a lawyer in Calgary. “But in terms of long-term victories, a place like Afghanistan will break your heart.”
Canadian troops serving in Afghanistan held a recent rally in Edmonton to resume deep ties to the war and reflect on what happened after the US mission ended and the Taliban took control of the country. One big question in the air: was it worth it?
“I would never defeat soldiers for the result we had,” said retired Colonel Pat Stogran, who commanded Princess Patricia’s 3rd Canadian Light Infantry Battalion.
In the 12 years that Canada has fought in Afghanistan, 158 Canadian soldiers have died and thousands more have been physically and psychologically injured. There were also suicide deaths after soldiers returned from deployment.
CBC’s David Common has traveled to Afghanistan eight times to report on the war, so when an invitation to the rally came in his inbox, he realized he had a lot of questions for veterans.
WATCH 20 years after Afghanistan, soldiers are asking – was it worth it ?:
20 years after Afghanistan, soldiers are asking: was it worth it?
After years of reporting on the war in Afghanistan, CBC’s David Common traveled to Edmonton to attend a gathering with Canadian soldiers as they pondered whether it was worth it.
Watch full episodes of The National’s CBC Gem, CBC’s streaming service.
Add Comment