2009, March 20, Master Corporal Scott Francis Vernelli, 3RCR Afghanistan

Your welcome, boys.

Remembrance and closure for ‘Chuck’ Vernelli
Posted By Dan Bellerose
Posted 4 hours ago

Charles 'Chuck' Vernelli's first visit to Afghanistan was one of remembrance and closure.

The retired Sault Ste. Marie elementary teacher, and his son, Sean, were among a small contingent of family members flown into the war-torn country by Canadian Forces in the past week for special ceremonies in recognition of the ultimate sacrifice by "loved ones" while serving in Afghanistan.

Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli, 28, son of Charles and Ruth Vernelli, died a little over a year ago, on March 20, 2009, as a result of an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion and was among nine soldiers honored over the weekend.

"It was essentially an opportunity to visit the country, get a feel for what Canada is doing in Afghanistan, and hopefully bring about some closure," said Ruth Vernelli, who stayed behind in the Sault rather than make the week-long pilgrimage with her husband.

The ceremony, at Kandahar Air Base, to which the families are restricted, was Saturday and Chuck Vernelli was expected to return home late Wednesday.

"He (Chuck) told me the ceremony was very emotional, very moving, very therapeutic," said Ruth, whose son's death was the first by an area resident in active military service in nearly 60 years — since the Korean War.

The airfield ceremony was held with a backdrop of a granite memorial etched with the faces, names and dates of Canada's 141 military personnel who have died during the nearly nine-year mission.

Family members, and a maximum of two per fallen soldier were invited to the Easter Weekend ceremony, were encouraged to leave behind momentos at the memorial.

"They took over a private letter on my behalf as well as some drawings and family pictures," she said.

The letter was personal, and "difficult to compose," while the drawing was by Scott's eight-year-old godson, Dale, who had drawn it especially for presentation to his uncle upon his return from Afghanistan.

Vernelli, a member of the Royal Canadian Regiment, was the first of two Sault residents to have died in the theatre — nearly three months ago, on Jan. 16, an IED explosion also claimed the life of Sgt. John Wayne Faught, 44, a member of the Princess Patricia Light Infantry.

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