LANCASTER, Ontario – A new Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) III monument along with two commemorative plaques were unveiled in Lancaster on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018.
The LAV III monument project was started by the government of Canada in 2014 to commemorate those who served and died during Canada’s involvement in the War in Afghanistan from 2001-2014.
More than 40,000 Canadians served in Afghanistan and 162 died there, including Sgt. Marc Leger of the Village of Lancaster.
Sgt. Leger and three others were the first Canadians to die in Afghanistan. Sgt. Leger died on April 18, 2002 while serving in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
“The LAV III was the backbone of Canada’s operations in Afghanistan,” said Master of Ceremonies Pierre Roy. “Our community’s contribution to this war included 28 Glens.”
A plaque on the LAV III commemorating the service of Canadians in Afghanistan was unveiled, as was a stone monument in tribute to Sgt. Leger.
Sgt. Leger’s mother Claire addressed the gathered audience at the unveiling.
“When my son was killed in Afghanistan my worst fear was that he would be forgotten,” she said. “Thank you for this plaque. I now know that he will be remembered. We, Marc’s family and friends, are more grateful than what words can say for what you have done.”
After the monuments were unveiled, a Canadian Forces Hercules C-130 aircraft flew over the ceremony in tribute to Canadian veterans and Sgt. Marc Leger.
