OWRAM o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2007-07-15 published
DAWE remembered as dedicated soldier
By Kristine
OWRAM, Canadian Press, Sun., July 15, 2007
Canadian
Forces
Base Kingston -- Capt. Matthew
DAWE was remembered
yesterday as a generous friend, a passionate family man and a
dedicated soldier who died doing what he believed in.
DAWE was killed July 4, along with five other Canadian soldiers
and an Afghan interpreter, when their armoured vehicle struck
a roadside bomb near Kandahar City.
DAWE's extended family, military supporters and members of the
public gathered at a sports complex in Canadian Forces Base Kingston
for a funeral service honouring the 27-year-old.
Prior to the service, a funeral procession wound its way toward
the complex. Soldiers and cadets marched in time to the music
of bagpipers and drummers, who were followed by the hearse carrying
DAWE's casket and, finally, his wife
Tara, his two-year-old son
Lucas, and the rest of his immediate family. As the family passed,
DAWE's father stooped to pick up Lucas, who was struggling to
keep up, and lifted him onto his shoulders.
As the procession entered the complex, the crowd of more 2,000
fell silent as they watched the pallbearers carry
DAWE's flag-draped
casket to the altar.
DAWE's best friend Lt. Reggie
McMICHAEL, his three brothers,
his parents and his wife were all invited to speak during the
service.
DAWE's three older brothers -- Philip, Peter and James, all members
of the Canadian Armed Forces -- remembered him as a man who shone
in the face of adversity. But they admitted that even they were
surprised at the outpouring of support they have received from
the public since their brother's death.
"My brothers and I have one regret as far as our relationship
with Matt is concerned," said Philip.
"It is the testimonials that we have read and heard over the
past 10 days, and the fact that they've provided us with a glimpse
of the man who our kid brother had become. We wish so badly that
we could have spent more time with this terrific guy."
They added that the three of them will do whatever is needed
to support
DAWE's wife and son.
"We love our brother very much and we promised Tara that she'll
never have to worry about tying a pair of skates or teaching
Lucas how to throw a spiral," said Peter. "Lucas will always
be a DAWE boy, just like his daddy would have liked it."
DAWE's father Peter, a retired lieutenant-colonel, remembered
his son as a man who would "laugh as conditions got harder."
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