Open Category > Departed Comrades - Afghanistan

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

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Mike Blais:


Master Corporal Scott Francis Vernelli was killed on March 20, 2009, when an improvised explosive device detonated near him during a dismounted patrol in Zhari District, west of Kandahar City.

MCpl Vernelli was a member of November Company, 3rd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group. His home unit is the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.

Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF-Afg) is the Canadian Forces (CF) contribution to the international effort in Afghanistan. Its operations focus on working with Afghan authorities to improve security, governance and economic development in Afghanistan.

JTF-Afg comprises about 2,830 CF members. Most of them serve at Kandahar Airfield or Camp Nathan Smith, the home of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Kandahar City. Members of JTF-Afg also work at various military headquarters and support bases in southwest Asia, and with civilian organizations in Afghanistan.

                           

Mike Blais:
               


Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, on the Deaths of...

Posted : Fri, 20 Mar 2009 22:43:38 GMT

Author : Governor General of Canada

OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- 03/20/09 -- My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I are sorry and deeply saddened to learn that four members of the Canadian Forces and the Afghan interpreter accompanying them were killed, and eight of their comrades in arms wounded under tragic circumstances in Afghanistan. Master Corporal Scott Francis Vernelli, member of the 3rd Battalion, and Corporal Tyler Crooks, member of the 1st Battalion, were from The Royal Canadian Regiment. Troopers Jack Bouthillier and Corey Joseph Hayes were both from The Royal Canadian Dragoons.

The violence that our troops face in Afghanistan is staggering and a cruel reminder of the risks they face during the perilous operations of this demanding and dangerous mission. We recognize the immense courage of those women and men who have chosen to serve in the Forces and who are willing to make any sacrifice to bring security to a population in danger. For this, they have our utmost respect.

Our sincerest condolences go out to the families and friends who are mourning the loss of their loved ones, and I offer my deepest sympathies to their comrades in arms. Our thoughts are also with the wounded soldiers, to whom we wish a speedy recovery, and to their families and friends, who are concerned for their well-being.

To all members of the Canadian Forces who are continuing the mission in Afghanistan by giving the very best of themselves, we would like to express our profound gratitude. Know that you are not alone in your grief and remain uppermost in our thoughts.

Michaelle Jean

****
               


Prime minister's statement

By David Helwig
SooToday.com
Friday, March 20, 2009
NEWS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE
PRIME MINISTER

*************************
Statement of the prime minister

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today on the deaths of four Canadian soldiers:

“It was with profound sorrow that I learned of the deaths of Master Corporal Scott Francis Vernelli [shown], Trooper Jack Bouthillier, Corporal Tyler Crooks, and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes, who died in two separate attacks today in Afghanistan.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones as they deal with this tragic loss. I join with all Canadians in wishing a prompt and full recovery to the other eight soldiers injured in these incidents.

"My thoughts are also with family of the Afghan interpreter who lost his life in one of the attacks.

"The sacrifices being made to help stabilize southern Afghanistan are not in vain. I am proud of our military men and women, their supporting families, and all those Canadians who have served their country in this vital mission.

"The commitment to make Afghanistan a better place to live, demonstrated on a daily basis by the brave men and women of the Canadian Forces, is a testament to the values respected and revered by all Canadians.

"Canadians, and the Government of Canada, stand proudly in support of our Canadian Forces members as they strive to bring safety and stability back to Afghanistan. Master Corporal Vernelli, Trooper Bouthillier, Corporal Crooks, and Trooper Hayes’ sacrifice will not be forgotten.”


Mar 20, 2009 18:55 ET
Statement by the Minister of National Defence on the Death of Four Canadian Soldiers

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 20, 2009) - The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, issued the following statement today on the deaths of four Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan:

"It is with utmost sorrow that I extend my condolences, and those of all Canadians, to the friends, families, and colleagues of Master Corporal Scott Francis Vernelli, Corporal Tyler Crooks, Trooper Jack Bouthillier, and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes, who were killed today in two separate IED attacks in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of grief.

These brave soldiers were participating in a joint operation in Kandahar province during the time of the incidents.

My sympathies also go to the eight other brave soldiers who were injured in the same attacks. We are thinking of you and your families during this difficult time. Our condolences also go to the family of the Afghan interpreter who lost his life in one of the incidents.

These dedicated soldiers were doing their part to ensure that Afghanistan will one day achieve and maintain peace and stability. Their loss was not in vain and Canada and the Canadian Forces are committed to this UN-sanctioned, NATO-led mission.

The Canadian Forces family and Canadians everywhere will remain forever grateful for their sacrifice.

Master Corporal Vernelli is a member of the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment and Corporal Tyler Crooks is a member of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa. Trooper Bouthillier and Trooper Hayes are members of The Royal Canadian Dragoons based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.

Mike Blais:

2009 inductees announced for Sault Walk of Fame

                     

MCpl Scott “Scottie” Vernelli

Scottie achieved greatness at a young age but with the ultimate sacrifice for a cause he so strongly believed in.

After joining the military in January 2000, Scottie completed his basic training and infantry battle school where he received the Battle Craft Award for top achievement in hand-to-hand combat.

He was then posted to the 1st Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment.

He was on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan, where he had also participated in the first-ever Canadian air assault in Afghanistan using Canadian helicopters, he was killed in the spring of 2009. In between tours of duty, he volunteered his time in Sault Ste. Marie classrooms talking with students about his experiences.

Scottie was the first native Sault Ste. Marie soldier to be killed in active duty since the Korean War.

Mike Blais:

Vernellis bear their grief publicly
'We're proud of what (our son) did,' says father
Posted By By Brian Kelly, The Sault Star
Posted 22 hours ago
   

The parents of a Sault Ste. Marie native killed in Afghanistan are putting a very public face on their grief in the months following his death.

Chuck and Ruth Vernelli, together or independently, have appeared at the launch of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25's poppy campaign, dropped a puck at a ceremonial face-off at a Soo Greyhounds game, read poetry at a concert honouring veterans and seen the name of their son, Scott, added to the cenotaph on Queen Street East.

Both mother and father will participate in the legion's annual Remembrance Day service at the Essar Centre.

Ruth will be the first mother of a soldier killed in action to serve as the Silver Cross Mother in years at the city's Remembrance Day service Wednesday.

Chuck will lay a wreath with the Sault Ste. Marie Military Family Support Group. He has been associated with the group from its earliest days when it formed in 2007.

"We're proud of what (our son) did," said Chuck.

"People have to become aware of what these soldiers are doing over there . . . I just felt that this is something we should do is help out wherever we can."

His son was killed by an improvised explosive device during a foot patrol 40 kilometres west of Kandahar City in March. The White Pines collegiate graduate, a master corporal with November Company, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, was 28.

The Vernellis "are doing a wonderful thing" by being so visible in the community, said Rev. Phil Miller of St. Andrews United Church.

Miller, who is also a keen student of local military history, is the chaplain of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25. He played a major role in a drumhead service for Vernelli that drew about 1,000 people to the Pine Street Armoury in April.

"They're working their grief out. It's wonderful," said Miller.

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"This is probably the most healthy thing they can do."

He compares the Vernellis active presence in the city to that of Maureen Eykelenboom. Her son, Andrew, was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan in 2006. The Canadian army medic was 23.

The registered charity formed after his death, Boomer's Legacy, has raised more than $200,000 to help the Department of National Defence's Assistance to Afghanistan Trust Fund.

"You've got a whole whack of energy and emotion that are related to any grief," said Miller.

Some choose to direct that energy to good causes, such as volunteering or, in Eykelenboom's case, raising tens of thousands of dollars for charity.

"The Vernellis are doing a wonderful thing," he said.

"It's got to be incredibly painful for them to be out there in the public, but I salute them. They are wonderful people for allowing their grief to be seen in public."

Chuck Vernelli doesn't want the several thousand people expected to attend Wednesday's service to focus on his participation. His concern is local residents better appreciate what Canadian soldiers are doing in Afghanistan to help that country's citizens.

"People don't realize how important it is for them to know what Canada does in NATO," said Vernelli.

"I don't want to be in the spotlight. (Remembrance Day) is going to be a tough day and it's going to be really hard."

That pain extends to the Niagara Region where his other son, Sean, lives.

A school approached him to participate in its Remembrance Day service.

"He said, 'Dad, I can't do it," said Vernelli.

Instead his wife, Carrie, will speak.

"This gives (students) the reality of how a young boy became a soldier and how he gave up his life for his country," said Vernelli.

Mike Blais:

Vernelli's name added to city cenotaph
Mayor 'made it happen': Branch 25

Posted By By Brian Kelly, The Sault Star

The name of a Sault Ste. Marie native killed in action in Afghanistan earlier this year now stands alongside those of more than 600 other area men at the city cenotaph.

A flurry of activity in the days leading up to Remembrance Day helped ensure Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli would be on at least one local war memorial in time for Nov. 11.

Just weeks ago it didn't appear likely the White Pines collegiate graduate's name would be on the cenotaph, or on a plaque in the lobby of the Essar Centre.

A story published in The Sault Star on Oct. 26 found a lack of cash, and some confusion about who was responsible for the two memorials, were hampering efforts to honour Vernelli's memory.

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 brass credit Mayor John Rowswell for spearheading efforts to get Vernelli's name included on the cenotaph.

"The mayor made it happen," said Branch 25 past-president Walter Wallace.

"He did a good job."

Legion president Rob Gardner and Rowswell huddled under umbrellas at the rear of the cenotaph on Queen Street East prior to a flag-raising ceremony marking the start of the annual poppy campaign on Oct. 30.

Gardner said Rowswell's message to him during that conversation was to, "Get it done and have the bill sent to his office."

"This has kind of all snowballed through the week since then," Gardner said Friday.

Rowswell regularly attends the poppy campaign kickoff. He spoke about his grandfather, Daniel Joseph Rowswell, a private who served with the 124th Battalion during the First World War, at the city Remembrance Day service at the Steelback Centre several years ago.

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"(Rowswell) pulled a lot of drag to get me to get this done," said Dave Cartmill, president of Lock City Monuments.

"There's stuff behind the scenes that you have to take care of. He's taken care of a lot of it so this could be possible."

Three Lock City workers spent several hours Friday afternoon preparing the rear of the cenotaph to be inscribed with Vernelli's name. His surname, and his initials S.F., were placed under the heading Afghanistan to the right of five names of Korean War dead. Vernelli died in March during his third tour of duty in Afghanistan. He was 28. The cenotaph also includes the names of area men killed during the two world wars.

While the start and end of the other wars are noted on the cenotpah, no years were included with Vernelli's name. That will be done, said Branch 25 service officer Don Oliver, when the war in Afghanistan ends.

Gardner charged Oliver with the responsibility of getting Vernelli's name inscribed. He couldn't reach a local monument company that offered to do the work at no charge. Lock City Monuments agreed to do the task at a memorial Rowswell says the province owns Thursday morning.

His mayoral budget will cover the cost. He has a "rough estimate" of what the bill will be, but did not have a firm figure when reached by phone on the road near Terrace Bay Friday afternoon.

"It's not much money," said Rowswell.

"It needed to be done . . . With everyone co-operating together we've all got it done. I told Rob (Gardner) that day (Oct.30), "'We've got to figure out how to get this done. Help me out.'"

Two veterans who were at the cenotaph Friday afternoon welcomed the addition of Vernelli's name.

"I think it's fantastic," said Don Gibbs, who served in Korea.

He visited the graves of two local men who were killed in that war when he returned to Korea for the first time in 55 years in April.

"I was pleased that they thought to add him to our list," said Second World War veteran Ernie Vanderburg.

"We will remember them. That's the ideal — that we will remember them."

Vernelli's parents, Chuck and Ruth, watched as Lock City workers Craig Cartmill, Evan Jones and Warren Webb, prepped the cenotaph. They spoke with Branch 25 brass and May Adshead, facilitator and outreach co-ordinator of the Sault Ste. Marie Family Support Group.

Chuck Vernelli wants to see local residents who died serving in Korea recognized with a plaque of their own at the Essar Centre. The former Memorial Gardens opened in 1949, one year before the Korean War started.

The Ward 1 resident has called his city councillors, Steve Butland and Jamie Caicco, urging them to "get this thing rolling."

"It just amazes me," said Vernelli.

"A lot of these years have gone by. These two navy boys (Able Seaman Wallis Burden, 21, and Lt.-Cmdr. John Quinn, 29, the last two Sault men to be killed in action with Canadian forces in 1952) never got any recognition . . . I wanted those guys to get the recognition. They sacrificed their lives for their country."

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