Canadians honor soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Increasing concern about Afghan war toll
Canadians — the majority of whom applauded their government for declining to join the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq — are increasingly concerned about the toll in Afghanistan.

In all, there are some 53,000 NATO-led troops from 27 countries serving there. But it has been Canadian, British, Dutch and U.S. forces — with support from Denmark, Romania, Estonia and non-NATO Australia — that have borne the brunt of the Taliban's attacks.

Canada has 2,500 soldiers stationed in Kandahar province, the former Taliban stronghold that has again emerged as the epicenter of violence.

This year will likely be the deadliest for international troops since the 2001 invasion. Some 188 soldiers from international forces, including about 101 Americans, have died so far, according to an Associated Press count. At that pace, the year's total would far surpass the record 222 troop deaths in 2007.

At least 500 members of the U.S. military have died since the U.S. invaded Afghanistan in late 2001 for sheltering Osama bin Laden, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

John Pierrepont, 55, a retired Toronto police officer, does not agree with the mission in Afghanistan but supports the troops. He's been to the "Highway of Heroes" about 20 times.

"Some people cry. Some people clap. It's just amazing," Pierrepont said. "It's too bad we didn't have more politicians here that might be less willing to send them over there."

Steve Weiner, a 53-year-old dentist, pulled off the side of Highway 401 last week after another dead soldier was brought home.

"I don't think we're getting accustomed to seeing soldiers die. There were 100 people on the bridge," he said. "I left after a while and every bridge all the way home had a 100 people on it. It's a sign of how special each one of these people are."

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