Sadly, Peterborough is used to honouring its war dead.
For the fifth time since the Afghanistan mission began, the Ontario city with a small-town feel is helping a local family deal with the loss of their soldier.
Peterborough Deputy Mayor Henry Clarke said that no matter how many times it happens, it doesn't get any easier for the community.
"There's a huge embracing of the families, our hearts are just going out to them," Clarke told the Sun yesterday.
With more than 1% of the Canadian Forces recruited from the Peterborough area and the city's long-standing military tradition, Clarke said it's not surprising they've lost hometown soldiers in Afghanistan.
"The community reacts with both sorrow and pride because you're looking at losing some of your brightest and your best," he said.
First it was Cpl. Randy Payne who was killed in April 22, 2006 -- his parents live in nearby Ennismore.
On Dec. 5, 2008, Cpl. Mark Robert McLaren, 23, and Keswick's Warrant Officer Robert John Wilson were killed. McLaren was from the city and Wilson's family lives in the area.
Peterborough born and raised, Pte. Michael Bruce Freeman, 28, was killed on Boxing Day.
This weekend, the area was mourning Cpl. Nick Bulger, 30, from nearby Buckhorn, who died Friday.
Local MP Dean Del Mastro said the community spurs to action with each death.
In the wake of the deaths, the community has held several events and donated to fundraisers both for the children of fallen soldiers and an orphanage in Afghanistan.
"We will not forget their sacrifice," Del Mastro said.
This is a city that remembers.
You can see that memorial in the centre of town where the names of local soldiers that died in the First, Second and Korean War are etched in the city's cenotaph. Another bronze plaque will be added to the cenotaph at the end of the Afghan mission bearing the names of all the city's fallen in the conflict.
The memorial -- which includes the sculptures Angel of Mercy and Angel of Death -- was created by Toronto sculptor Walter Allward, the same man who built Canada's Vimy Ridge Memorial in France.
DON.PEAT@SUNMEDIA.CA
