REMEMBRANCE DAY: COL. GEOFFREY STEPHEN PARKER, WHO LOST HIS LIFE IN AFGHANISTAN IN 2010, WILL ALWAYS BE A CANADIAN HERO

The above photo, taken at the Afghanistan Mobile Exhibit in Fredericton, highlights the sacrifices and challenges that faced Canadian soldiers who served in Afghanistan during the bloody conflict.

As we approach another Nov. 11, it’s important to remember one thing - all Canadian soldiers, whether fallen or living, are heroes.

One man who was the epitome of courage was Geoffrey Stephen Parker, a former commander of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown.

Parker, a native of Oakville, Ont., died May 18, 2010, when a suicide bomber attacked a NATO convoy in Kabul. The explosion also killed five American soldiers and a dozen Afghan civilians. He was in Kabul as part of a NATO team preparing for an upcoming mission.?

Whether it was at a small social gathering in Oromocto or on assignment in Afghanistan, the 42-year-old colonel was held in high regard.?

With his trademark handshake and friendly queries, he quickly left a positive impression on those he met.?

Parker, the highest ranking Canadian officer to die in the Afghanistan theatre of operations, was at that time the 145th soldier from this country to be killed in the war torn region since the mission began in 2002.?

According to Veterans Affairs Canada, more than 40,000 Armed Forces members served in the 12-year campaign, which claimed the lives of 165 Canadians – 158 soldiers and seven civilians.

Parker's death sent shockwaves across the nation and especially in this area where he had just completed a two-year stint as commander of 2RCR.?

Parker was a rising star in this country's military and would have been a natural choice to come back at some point and command the base at Gagetown.?

After that, anything was possible.

In a statement to the media following Parker’s death, his wife, M.J. (Mary Jane) described her husband as her best friend and a great father to his two children.?

"The children and I will miss him dearly but know he is watching over us with the encouragement to 'put a smile on and move forward,' " she said. "I know we're not the first, but I pray we are the last."?

Parker joined the Canadian Forces as part of the Regular Officer Training Program in 1989 while attending the University of Western Ontario. Upon graduation in 1990, he completed his infantry officer training and spent time with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment (1RCR). Five years later, he was part of the 3rd Battalion,?before returning to 1RCR in 2000.?

In 2003, Parker was posted to Toronto to attend the Canadian Forces College and, upon its completion, returned to CFB Petawawa as the G3 of 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2 CMBG), where he helped generate three Afghanistan rotations.?

That experience boded well for Parker when he took control of the 2RCR.?

Parker was a passionate man when it came to looking after his people and deeply appreciated the sense of history that went along with leading New Brunswick's best-known group of soldiers.?

He took over in June 2007 from Rob Walker, who commanded the 1,150-strong 2RCR battle group in Afghanistan during his two-year stint with the battalion.?

From a commanding officer perspective, the military could not have picked a better person to take over 2RCR, Walker said of Parker at the time.?

"He certainly has the professional experience and background to excel here."?

Parker quickly gained the confidence of the battalion.?

"I am extremely honoured to be given the command of Second Battalion," Parker said in an interview. "It is rather humbling, given recent accomplishments. A finer group of soldiers, I don't think there is in the Canadian Forces."?

It was that love for his people that Parker took to the grave with him.

On a personal note, Parker's effort to always say hello will forever stand out.?

"How are you today, Mr. Staples?" always made this writer feel welcome, whether it was attending an official function or during an informal occasion designed just to talk or chat.?

Geoff Parker was a fine human being.?

He served his country with pride and distinction.

Geoff Parker was a hero.

Lest we forget.