F R ID AY, J U LY 2, 2010 T H E VAN C O U V E R C O U R I E R
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Morning ‘beating’ highlighted constant danger of Afghan mission
Continued from page 6 Muir plans to stay with the Seaforths and go back to school. He also plans to spend more time with his longtime girlfriend and enjoy a regular life at home in False Creek for the first time since 2007. Muir’s brother, who’s his roommate, is also pursuing a career in the military with a goal of joining the Seaforths.
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hile corresponding with the Courier, Birkner recalled another incident during which the soldiers feared for their lives. His section had just returned to the platoon at a police station where they were camped. One morning the soldiers were sweeping a paved road for bombs, with a local police truck parked nearby to show that the Afghans were “running the show.” Birkner says out of the blue, a white Corolla came flying around a corner and careened into the truck. Before there was time to train their weapons, three “fighting aged males” stumbled out of the car. Birkner says a young 20-something Afghan police officer charged out of the truck and drop-kicked the first guy. “I mean some serious ninja crap,” wrote Birkner. “Without stopping he was onto the other two guys and delivered a one-onthree beating that rivaled anything you’ve
ever seen choreographed on TV.” Birkner says the physical attack was accompanied by a verbal lambasting with meaning that was just as clear to the nonPashtu speaking soldiers as it was to the cheering crowd of local kids who had by now gathered round. At that point the three men got back in their car and “sheepishly” drove away. The young police officer later told Birkner he had been convinced it was a suicide bomb attack and that he had been more afraid for his life at that moment than at any other time.
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everal hours before interviewing the soldiers in May, Canadian media reported the death of Col. Geoff Parker by suicide bomber. He was the 145th Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan. Parker was also the highest-ranking Canadian soldier killed since the mission began in 2001. The soldiers shared their thoughts on Parker’s death, which happened just days after they left the war-torn area. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a personal friend or not,” Muir says. “It still makes me feel sad. And it’s a shame because we’re there as guests trying to make their life better.” Kowlalczyk agrees. “Every time I hear about another death I feel bad,” he says. “I guess some of them don’t understand
Cpl. Max Birkner enjoyed interacting with Afghan children during his sevenmonth tour. submitted photo we’re there trying to make a difference, to make their life better.” Birkner, surprisingly, remains quiet. It was the only time during weeks of colourful and lively correspondence, as well as the candid face-to-face interview, that
Birkner was silent. He is too uncomfortable to comment. To date, 150 Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan. Afghan civilian casualties are estimated to be in the tens of thousands. sthomas@vancourier.com
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