GG, MacKay visit Canadian troops in Italy, Afghanistan

Date: Sunday Dec. 25, 2011 5:38 PM ET

Canadians serving in Afghanistan were greeted on Christmas Day by a visit from Gov. Gen. David Johnston and top brass from the Department of Defence.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay, Liberal Leader Bob Rae and General Walt Natynczyk, chief of defence staff, joined Johnston on the trip.

"It was a privilege to extend my heartfelt gratitude and support to the Canadian men and women in uniform, and the many diplomats, aid specialists and police officers deployed abroad, who are committed to making parts of the world a safer and better place," Johnston said in a statement.

"The sacrifice of troops and civilians who are away from their families and friends at this time of the year is tremendous and I wish them the best of luck in the completion of their missions."

The men donned red and white Santa hats on Christmas Day and led by the governor general, sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" with the soldiers, Rae said in a blog post.

In a statement, Rae said, "It was a great honour and privilege to join the Governor General in spending Christmas Day in the company of our brave men and women of the Canadian Forces and many other Canadians who are helping Afghanistan to rebuild."

"All Canadians should be proud of the work they are doing," he added.

Prior to the trip to Afghanistan Johnston, MacKay and Natynczyk visited Rome, where the HMCS Vancouver was docked. HMCS Vancouver is currently involved in NATO counter-terrorism efforts in the Mediterranean and had earlier taken part in the Libyan mission.

"Canadian Forces members have worked tirelessly, at home and abroad, to save lives, provide security, and promote peace," MacKay said in a statement. "It has been a busy, challenging year. As we celebrate the holidays, we should also take time to think of those who are still deployed throughout the world."

Canada's military mission in the country, which ended earlier this year, saw over 2,500 Canadian troops posted to a military base in Kandahar.

The trip to Afghanistan has become an annual tradition for MacKay, where around 950 Canadian soldiers are still in the capital of Kabul teaching local soldiers and police and also mentoring Afghan medical staff.

MacKay also met with U.S. General John Allen, who is commanding the international military mission in Afghanistan.

Johnston, who was already overseas for the state funeral of former Czech president Vaclav Havel, also met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and other senior officials while in Afghanistan.

Source: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20111225/johnston-mackay-visit-canadian-troops-111225/

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