COMMENTS ON ARTICLE ENTITLED,"DEATH OF A SOLDIER RESERVISTS' SITUATION UNDER MICROSCOPE"

HERE IS THE ARTICLE -

While we in the media are good at questioning everyone else's ethics, the death of a young Canadian soldier amid conflicting reports about whether he wanted to be in Afghanistan raises issues we need to face.

First, how should we treat the combat death of Cpl. Anthony Boneca, 21, compared to the other 16 Canadian soldiers and one diplomat who died there, and who have all been portrayed as doing what they loved?

The ethical answer is while Boneca's death raises legitimate concerns about whether our soldiers, particularly reservists, understand what it means to volunteer for the military today, Boneca merits all the respect accorded his fallen comrades.

Whatever his state of mind - and Boneca's mother and father, through the Defence Department, have categorically rejected claims, primarily by the father of his 19-year-old girlfriend, that he was ill-prepared and distraught -- Boneca died with honour.

This was his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. He was just three weeks away from coming home. So remember: Boneca did his duty. He did not quit. He did not desert. He died in the service of Canada.

Since much has been made of claims by others, perhaps less close to him, the statement by Boneca's parents, Antonio and Shirley merits emphasis:

"Our pride was in our son, before and after he became a professional soldier. He was a giving person. He was a leader. He was the kind of person who was always joking and liked to make others around him happy. Anthony was the first to volunteer in any situation. My son volunteered to go to Afghanistan. Anthony knew what he was getting into. He loved being in the army and my wife, Shirley and I, supported our son wholeheartedly. In all my conversations with my son, there was never any mention of him not being well enough or fit enough to carry out his military duties.

"Recent media reports state my son may not have been prepared. His conversations with my family and me indicated he was well aware of the dangers around him and was committed to the test he had taken on ... He said it was difficult to cope with the weather, the sand, and the situation the young children endured. He was proud to make a difference in their lives ...

"Certainly, Anthony wanted to come home, but I ask what soldier wouldn't in that situation? There is no question about the extent of his military training. I know he was well prepared for what he was sent to do.

"Please respect my family's request for privacy during our time of grief."

Look at the last line. Will we in the media do that? We, who fought so hard for the right to attend repatriation ceremonies of the remains of fallen soldiers? Word yesterday was media will be allowed to take pictures of the return of Boneca's coffin, presumably with the consent of his parents, but not interview them. But that's at a military base where access is controlled.

What happens when Boneca's parents go home for their son's funeral, now they've been unwittingly thrown into a huge controversy?

Will we be true to our word then?

Finally, there are larger issues here. Do young people signing up for our military today fully understand what the changed role of our Armed Forces from being "peacekeepers" to peacemakers means for them?

Will we in the media, wherever we stand on Afghanistan, examine these issues in a way that respects our fallen soldiers and all who serve?

I hope so. But I wouldn't count on it.

PUBLICATION: The Calgary Sun
DATE: 2006.07.13
SOURCE: BY LORRIE GOLDSTEIN

BOH RESPONCE -