Letter from a Combat Engineer in Panjwaii

On 10-Feb-10, at 4:57 AM, Joel Van de Vorst wrote:

Dear Lynn and Fred Kuzyk,

I just wanted to take the time to thank you for your thoughts and prayers for the men and women out here in Afghanistan, not to mention the Tim Hortons gift card.
I am currently located in a platoon house in southeast Panjwaii and happened upon your letter. Once in awhile I'll open them up and send back a letter, however you did not include your address so I figured an email would suffice.
I am a Combat Engineer from 1 CER and attached to Delta Company 1PPCLI. We spend the days patrolling into neighbouring villages and interacting with the locals. The place is very dangerous with IEDs spread throughout our AO. A Combat Engineers job is to confirm the IED and conduct clearances of compounds. Needless to say our tour has been especially busy.

Anyway, just wanted to say thanks again.....your thoughts are appreciated.

Sincerely,
MCpl Van de Vorst
1CER


Hi Joel,
Thank you very much for your letter. Yes, it sounds like you are indeed busy & we wish you well out there amidst the IEDs.
I was a Corporal with the 2ARW (air frame tech) at Downsview back in the late '70's /early 80's. It was a different time then. When we were sent out for deployments, training, or exercises, it meant going back to our rooms in Barracks & spending the nights in the Junior Ranks!

Saw that the troops in Kandhar were watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Vancouver. Glad that they have these little touchstones from home, including the Horton's.

Keeps yourself safe, as we say in the Fire Service.

Cheers,
Fred Kuzyk (Freddy K)