CFB TRENTON, Ont. - The flag-draped casket of the latest Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan arrived at CFB Trenton on Tuesday to his bereaved family and an emotional display from the Governor General.
Sgt. John Faught was killed by a roadside bomb Saturday in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar province. The 44-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., was a member of the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton.
On Tuesday, Faught's casket was carried from a military transport to a waiting hearse by a guard of honour as dignitaries and family members looked on.
Among the dignitaries was Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean, who offered a hug to Sgt. Kevin Lincez, the escort officer accompanying Faught's casket for the journey home. The Governor General reached up and stood on her toes as she offered Lincez a warm embrace.
Faught was the 139th Canadian soldier to die during the Afghan mission. His troops affectionately called him "Toast" because of his crusty character.
More than a thousand soldiers saluted Sunday as the sun set over Kandahar Airfield and pallbearers slowly carried Faught's casket to an awaiting transport plane for his final trip back to Canada.
Colleagues praised Faught as a no-nonsense soldier who wanted to help the people of Afghanistan.
His death came in the third lethal strike against Canadian troops in as many weeks.
Faught was on his third deployment to Afghanistan and had planned to serve two more years before retiring from the military.
Friends described him as someone who "lived, slept, ate and breathed" with his fellow soldiers and would be sorely missed. Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard said the soldier could always be counted on to speak his mind.
Faught, who is survived by his mother Donna Crosson and a sister, died during a routine foot patrol with Afghan soldiers outside the town of Nakhoney, about 15 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city.
