It was a one-of-a-kind tableau marking the final chapter of a life whose light will never be extinguished. a final salute for hero Capt. Nichola Goddard, in death, as she was in life, unique, someone who made a difference.
Thousands of troops from several countries were there to say a last farewell to Canadian Capt. Nichola Goddard, killed in afghanistan. The mournful wail of the bagpipes as her casket was boarded on a C-130 Hercules at Kandahar, could be heard in the hearts of those all the way back in her hometown of Shilo, Manitoba.
Capt. Goddard is the first female combat soldier Canada lost to battle. The courageous captain, killed Wednesday battling Taliban insurgents west of Kandahar, was an inspiration to all who knew her.
On Friday, soldiers from eight countries watched as her flag-draped casket was carried by eight members of her unit, the Royal Canadian Horse artillery.
Soldiers who came to say their farewell from nations around the globe, included those from afghanistan, the country whose freedom Capt. Goddard was fighting to protect.
a soldier down to her boots, Capt. Goddard was serving as a forward artillery observer when Canadian troops were called to support afghan forces as they battled Taliban fighters about 24 kilometers west of Kandahar.
She was killed when the LaV III light armoured vehicle she was in was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.
Capt. Goddard was the 16th Canadian soldier to die in afghanistan since 2002. One Canadian diplomat has also been killed.
Only 26 years old, Capt. Goddard's funeral will be held at the same Calgary church where she was married four years ago.
as her grieving husband Jason Beam told the media, his wife was one of a tiny number of Canadian women on the front lines in combat zones around the world. Britain and the United States do not allow women to serve in that role.
Even so, the captain only wanted to be perceived as just one of the soldiers.
Soldiers "want to try to make a difference in the world, to improve things for other areas of the world," said Beam.
Captain Goddard, whose heart was as huge as her courage, was known for her beaming smile.
She loved her two dogs and two cats, and dreamed of someday opening up a boarding kennel when she returned from the military.
"Nichola lived her life fully," said her father Tim Goddard. "She died too young. But she died doing something she believed was important."
To colleagues like 2Lt. Tom Mackenzie, RMC, Capt. Nichola Goddard will live on in spirit forever.
"When I first met Captain Nichola Goddard in 2000, she had the innocence of any young woman looking to make her way in a man's army," Lt. Mackenzie wrote in a letter to Canada Free Press. "With talent and dreams, I saw Nichola take to the Royal Military College with passion. She would not be outdone by any man and she grew to be a leader of men, rising to command one hundred of her fellow officers, molding the cadets of RMC, influencing us to go just a little bit further.
"a real Canadian, driven to contribute, her care was to make her environment better. Excelling above so many, many sought out her passion."
Capt. Goddard was an icon of the Canadian Forces, and in her death is a reminder for us to cherish those who serve.
"Now is the time to get behind our military, get to know our soldiers, take an interest in their jobs, never forget the sacrifice our bright and beautiful young women and men are facing in the protection of this our great and sovereign country," wrote 2Lt. Mackenzie.
"Some don't understand why military personnel do what they do with their lives.
"Nichola's example of dedication to the Canadian Forces and of offering free time to her community will stay in my heart. We can all reflect on her supreme sacrifice: a daughter, a wife, a friend and loyal Canadian.
"Nichola will be remembered as having made a difference.
"She wouldn't have it any other way."
Canada Free Press founding editor Most recent by Judi McLeod is an award-winning journalist with 30 years experience in the print media. Her work has appeared on Newsmax.com, Drudge Report, Foxnews.com, Glenn Beck. Judi can be reached at: judi@canadafreepress.com
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