Father denies fallen soldier was unhappy

[Bragi]

I think what's unfolding here (below) could become a divisive event in Canadian politics, and reverberate for a while.

Any sentient person feels terrible about everything that's happened to Anthony Boneca and his loved ones, no doubt about it, but it is also clear that there are real divisions among them about how thrilled and prepared the young man was to be in Afghanistan.

It is also noteworthy that, in this particular case, the family is restricting media coverage of the homecoming, and the funeral.

- B


Father denies fallen soldier was unhappy
Jul. 11, 2006. 04:12 PM
CANADIAN PRESS


OTTAWA — The father of the soldier killed in Afghanistan earlier this week denies his son was ill-prepared for his dangerous tour-of-duty, contradicting claims from some of the soldier's friends.

Cpl. Anthony Boneca's father Antonio also said his son "loved being in the army" and was aware of the situation he was facing.

"In all my conversations with my son, there was never any mention of him not being well enough or fit enough to carry out his military duties," Boneca's father said.

"He said it was difficult to cope with the weather, the sand, and the situation the young children endured (but) he was proud to make a difference in their lives and said he wished these children could live like we do in Canada."

Boneca's father disputed reports that suggested his son felt he was poorly prepared for his second stint in Afghanistan.

Boneca, 21, was killed earlier this week in a fierce battle with the Taliban near Khandahar City.

Boneca's girlfriend Megan DeCorte and his best friend Dylan Bulloch have said that he was deeply unhappy in Afghanistan and did not feel prepared.

With some minor exceptions, most of the media have been barred from covering Boneca's memorial service when his body returns to Canada tomorrow.

The Canadian Forces will prevent the media from covering the memorial service because the decision about coverage is now left to the family and the Boneca family has asked that the service be kept "as private as possible," said Lt. Morgan Bailey.

Some allowances will be made for photographs and visual images to be taken when Boneca's body is brought to CFB Trenton. The flight is expected to arrive at 7 p.m. EDT.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1152611584716&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home

[daleo]

1. Boneca may have been more honest with his friends than his father

That's not too unusual for a 21 year old.

I think you are right though. This will be very divisive. The articles I read today claimed that Boneca said "soldiers" (not just him) were disillusioned with their current mission, especially the shift from peacekeeping to war-making. There will be a lot of counter stories to quash that angle.

On edit - I think the father will change his mind in time. He is probably in shock now, and is exhibiting all the classic cognitive dissonance signs in an attempt to make this tragedy have some purpose for him.

[Jazz2006]

2. I doubt that it will be "divisive" at all.

My guess is that it will be gone from the collective news memory within a week.

In any event, what we're left with at this point is the remarks of the father of the short term girlfriend of the deceased soldier v. the remarks of the parents of their only child deceased soldier ~ so....

not too hard to figure out which view will be given more credence, rightly or wrongly.

The real shame of the matter is that it will gone from the collective news memory within a week.