About 500 mourners gathered in a Vancouver Island church on Saturday for the funeral of a Canadian medic killed in Afghanistan.
Cpl. Andrew Eykelenboom, 23, who was serving with the 1st Field Ambulance based in Edmonton, was killed in a suicide attack while travelling with a NATO convoy in southern Afghanistan on Aug. 11.
A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack, which came a few weeks before Eykelenboom was scheduled to return home.
Cpl. Andrew James Eykelenboom was killed in a suicide attack about 100 kilometres south of Kandahar.
Canadian Press
During the funeral service in Comox, B.C. Lt. Gov. Iona Campagnolo described Eykelenboom as a dedicated healer and a caregiver.
"As a medic, Andrew kept an eye on others, exhibiting a selflessness that is the essence of courage … We promise you his sacrifice will be honoured," she said.
Eykelenboom, known as "Boomer," was the first medic to be killed in action since the Korean War.
His family has announced they will establish a foundation to be named "Boomer's Legacy" to honour fallen Canadian soldiers. The foundation will also seek to educate Canadians about the humanitarian needs in Afghanistan and provide the children of the war-torn country with educational tools.
'Hope of the future'
"Children are the hope of the future, and what do we do for our children?" Eykelenboom's mother Maureen said after the service.
"If we can educate them here, we can educate them in Afghanistan and if we educate them in Afghanistan, then they will know that they have a choice between good and evil and they will know that they can fight the Taliban and they can rise above that supression."
About 2,200 Canadians are serving in Afghanistan, with most based in Kandahar. Since 2002, 26 Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have died there.
With files from the Canadian Press
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FOR THE RECORD: Andrew's brother, Gordon Eykelenboom, spoke at the funeral about the purpose of "Boomer's Legacy," which has been established by the family.
(Runs: 1:59)
play: real »
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