From Canada: A Thank You to U.S. Service Members
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Dear Michael Yon,
Today we were sent your story of February 14, 2010. The “unknown” Canadian is our son Danny. He is a 23-year-old soldier from Vancouver, Canada.
Your photographs were extraordinary and have impacted so many people here in Canada. There has been an outpouring of affection for the Americans who helped Danny in his moment of need. For that, we thank you for recording these acts of kindness into history.
Danny's injuries were the result of an explosion on February 12, 2010. Four Canadian soldiers were injured and tragically one Canadian soldier was killed. Within 20 minutes of the explosion, Danny was airlifted by helicopter to Kandahar. Upon arrival he received emergency surgery that saved his life and prepared him for the flight to Bagram that you were on.After landing in Bagram, Danny was again airlifted by a US transport aircraft to the US Army run Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. There he underwent additional surgery that closed up his wounds. Once stabilized, the Canadian government dispatched a Challenger jet to bring him home. This afternoon in Vancouver, the shrapnel that did all the damage to him was finally removed. Danny is now recovering in hospital.
This was Danny's second tour of duty in Afghanistan and his platoon on this tour has had heavy causalities and injuries. Physically, Danny will overcome his injuries. He also has the support of his family, his friends and his community to deal with the emotional side of this war. Our hearts go out to those families who have had the loss of a soldier or who have had to deal with greater injuries.
Danny and his whole family are very grateful, and are actually overwhelmed, by the support he received while in US care. The Canadian military have also been wonderful. It is our intention to personally thank everyone who worked so hard to save Danny's life. We have already made contact with Major Deborah "Lucy" Lehker to thank her.
Sincerely,
Jim & Holly
Full Story:
Valentine's Day Weekend, Afghanistan
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Comments
The "Thank You Letter" from Danny's parents brought tears to my eyes, just as the original story did. God Bless Danny and his family. God Bless all of our troops.
Stay safe.
Come back again
I want you to stay next time
'Cause sometimes the world ain't kind
When people get lost like you and me
I just made a friend
A friend is someone you need
But now that he had to go away
I still feel the words that he might say
Turn on your heartlight
Let it shine whereever you go
Let it make a happy glow
For all the world to see
Turn on your heartlight
In the middle of a young boy's dream
Don't wake me up too soon
Gonna take a ride across the moon
You and me
He's lookin' for home
'Cause everyone needs a place
And home's the most excellent place of all
And I'll be right here if you should call me
Turn on your heartlight
Let it shine whereever you go
Let it make a happy glow
For all the world to see
Turn on your heartlight
In the middle of a young boy's dream
Don't wake me up too soon
Gonna take a ride across the moon
You and me
Turn on your heartlight now
Turn on your heartlight now
Good to hear that Danny is doing well.
The fight against Jihadism needs to have a face put on it and this is one.
What a lovely letter from Danny's Mom & Dad. But the thanks should really go in the other direction. Americans should thank Danny for his courage and willingness to serve and to his Mom & Dad for their love and support of Danny. No American or Canadian likes war, but sometimes our hand is forced and we must respond. Canada has proven a valued ally many times. As a Seattle suburbanite, my wife and I have traveled frequently to Vancouver and other parts of Canada, and have always met with warmth and good will from our Canadian neighbors. So to this American, this is just further compelling evidence that our good neighbor to the North abundantly harbors such quality people, and shares in our love of freedom.
So, Thank you Danny. Thank you Jim & Holly.
May our two countries always share such warm camaraderie and fundamental values.
Mark S
Bellevue, Wa
Thank you Michael
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
We even take care of our adversaries and rebuild their countries.
Wonder why we are so unappreciated?
Great job Michael and all of our troops, American & Canadian.
And to canada: thanks again for your help. allons! Gunner
THANK YOU AMERICA for saving our Danny.
Thank you again for bringing us to the front and relaying the information and the war as you see it. It is such wonderful news to hear this young soldier is going to pull through. As for all of the personnel responsible for extending this mans life from the pilots flying the medevacs to the incredibly talented medics, nurses and doctors who obviously worked tirelessly to ensure he would see his family again, BRAVO. It never ceases to amaze me this is often "a day in the life" of our American and Allied troopers. Thank you all for your amazing work and unending efforts. God Speed to Danny and his family and His peace and love to those families who have lost a family member to this war.
Thanks for sharing this story....There is a reason why we share the longest friendly border in the world with our northern friends!
And, God Bless the Canadians, the Brits, the Poles, the Danes and the Aussies!!!
Hooo-Ahhhh!
When I was in the USAF TDY to Winnepeg, I was treated very well, true brothers at arms.
Thanks again,
Jerry
I am a retired WO with the Canadian military and am now a serving Police Officer in Vancouver, BC. In my time over seas I met many US soldiers who I am proud to call 'comrades in arms'. I have had both family and friends serve in many conflicts around the world for a variety of reasons but have been fortunate enough not to loose anyone close. I have known Jim for 15 years or so and work with him directly for the Olympics. I observed what Jim had to endure and heard bits and pieces of this tragedy as the days progressed. I read your story which showed that not all heroes 'fight' for the peace and freedoms that we enjoy but some heroes 'whisper' encouragement and offer comfort to those hurt from the battle. Thank you very much for telling this side of the story and thank you to Lucy and the other medical staff that helped Danny (and all our other solders injured during the war on terrorism) come home to thier famiilies. Thank you to Danny for being there, you are a true hero, and to Jim and Holly for you too are heroes.
DD
A big thank you to the the ones who took care of him and brought him back to where he belongs and to the arms of his family.
May no soldier walk alone.....
SALMA
Thanks Again for ALL you do!!!!!!!!!!
Garry L. Sheets
MSgt USAF
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