in Kandahar" that centres on the Canadian-run NATO military trauma hospital
there - one of the busiest ones in Afghanistan.
Something stood out to me near the end of the program. After officially
pronouncing the death of a Canadian soldier, the head doctor is asked
questions about how difficult her work is in the context of being a mother.
Tears quickly threaten to fall and she stops speaking. She reflects for a
moment, allows a small smile, and then quietly says 'thank you' before
retreating behind the authorized personnel only doors of the hospital. And
she didn't say it with malice or contempt, no disguised sneer for having
manipulated those emotions from her. Her 'thank you' was sincere and
respectful. It made me think immediately that this was a consummate
Canadian; working in that environment, pestered by a reporter, but
remaining above all, humble, genuine, empathetic, and courteous.
Perhaps in that moment she represents the ideal and not the norm, but in
those two words, I saw a National identity that is slipping away, and felt
a profound loss for casualties of war. A powerful moment for this
Canadian.
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