Monday, July 7, 2008

"Greater love has no man..."












Pte. Colin William Wilmot, shown in this undated photo, died during a patrol Sunday in the Panjwaii district near Kandahar city.
Pte. Colin William Wilmot

A Canadian military medic lauded by peers for his quick smile, sharp intellect, and generous heart has been killed by an explosion during a foot patrol in Afghanistan.

A Canadian military medic who lobbied hard to be sent to Afghanistan was killed by an explosion early Sunday near Kandahar city.

Pte. Colin William Wilmot died after a bomb exploded while he was on overnight foot patrol with troops from the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in the Panjwaii district.

Wilmot, whose age has not been released, was pronounced dead at the military hospital at Kandahar Airfield a few hours later.

The Edmonton-based medic was remembered by comrades as the top student in his basic medical course and a young man with a perpetually sunny disposition. They said Wilmot, who had been with the military for three years, was not originally scheduled to join the current rotation in Afghanistan, but demanded to be sent.

"He quickly marched in to see his regiment sergeant major to indicate he was eager to serve," said Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson, Canada's top soldier in Afghanistan.

"Colin wanted it known that should a spot become available on the mission, he wanted in.

"He was selected to fill a vacancy soon after, because he was motivated, he was skilled, and because he was eager to make a difference in the lives of ordinary Afghans."

He leaves behind a fiancée, Laura. (CBC here)


You so DID make a difference, Pte Wilmot. Please keep all who loved Colin in your prayers, and a special one for all the medics who are working in KAF.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I echo your sentiments. Pte. Colin William Wilmot, you did make a difference. May you rest in peace. Sending up prayers from Texas for his family and fiancee.

DE. Sue said...

Brat, I agree with you! I will keep Colin's family and friends in my heart and prayers..Colin is a true Canadian Hero!!! God Bless Colin! Sending angel love to Colin's family from Delaware, USA!!

K-Dubyah said...

And from Kentucky too. May God hold his family in his hands...

Claire said...

We are praying for this family today. God bless Canada's faithful sons and their families. This young, brave, soldier is Canada's hero, and my hero too.

Anonymous said...

Pte. Wilmot is in our hearts and always in our prayers. Rest in peace.

Pat and Don

Anonymous said...

Brat thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my sorrow on hearing about Pts. Colin William Wilmot, he sounds like a great one and I know he will be greatly missed by his loved ones and by Canada also.
My prayes go out to all of Canada for this great loss and for the previous losses and the ones to come. Just know that we in the US are aware of there great deeds and they will be in my prayers.

Bonnie in Tx.

Anonymous said...

Brat, thank you for allowing us to read and learn about the brave heroes of the Canadian armed forces. I look at their faces and weep for their families. My deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of Colin.

Sylvia in Texas

Anonymous said...

Couldn't agree more. Colin was a Hero and I will keep his family in my thoughts and prayers. Thatnks for sharing this.
Donna Proud Army Mom to a U.S. Soldier

Anonymous said...

Medics are often referred to as "Angels of the Battlefield" by the troops they look after.
Pte. Colin Wilmot has gained his wings and is now in the Elite Angel Force.
My prayers and appreciation go out to his family ~

Anonymous said...

My family and I send our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of this Canadian Hero. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We are thankful to the men and women in the Canadian Forces who stand with us in this war against terrorism.
We know that it is because of brave and selfless warriors like Pte. Colin William Wilmot, our world is a safer place for ALL our children. May God comfort this family, and may Pte. Wilmot rest in peace...

Cat in Florida