Calgary reservist dies in Afghanistan

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Cpl. Michael Starker with the 15th Field Ambulance died at 11:45 local time on May 6, 2008.

Not much that I can say other than my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/0...tan.html#postc

[Gozer]

God Bless.

[J pold]

My deepest sympathies are extended to his family and fellow soldiers

[Iggy's Forehead]

His family can be proud to know he died serving us so we can continue wasting time on calgarypuck and everything else we take for granted. RIP.

[Bob]

[GirlySports]

[flamingchina]

I have a friend who just went there, saw the title, and my heart skipped a beat

[Azure]

Rip.

[Daradon]

Thank you Cpl, RIP. You and everyone else are doing a great job in Afghanistan.

[Regulator75]

Didn't Global run a story on him prior to leaving for Afghanistan?

He looks really familiar.

RIP Cpl. Michael Starker

[AC]

Originally Posted by flamingchina

I have a friend who just went there, saw the title, and my heart skipped a beat

I know the feeling. My two best friends are over right now and I panic every time something like this gets announced.

[J pold]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

Didn't Global run a story on him prior to leaving for Afghanistan?

He looks really familiar.

RIP Cpl. Michael Starker

His Wife worked for E! Network National, which is under the Canwest Global Umbrella

[Ford Prefect]

He was also a paramedic with Calgary EMS when not performing his reserve duties. His death has hit Calgary EMS staff hard, so if you have any dealing with Calgary EMS this week, be sure to pass along your condolences. It will mean a lot to them.

[driveway]

Originally Posted by Iggy's Forehead

His family can be proud to know he died serving us so we can continue wasting time on calgarypuck and everything else we take for granted.

I'm sorry, but I just have to jump all over you for this statement because I think you are deeply cheapening this soldier's death by regurgitating this drivel.

None of the soldiers who have died in Afghanistan did so to protect our freedoms. Our freedoms are not in danger, and have not been realistically threatened since the 19th century. What is to impressive and noble about what Canadian soldiers have been doing for more than a hundred years is crossing oceans to defend the freedom, or try to establish the freedom, of people in other countries.

[Gozer]

He signed up to protect us, for that we are grateful.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by driveway

Our freedoms are not in danger, and have not been realistically threatened since the 19th century.

So, World War II doesn't count then? Do you think that if the Axis would have prevailed in their domination of their respective regions that they would have simply said "North America? Bah, who needs it?" and left our countries alone? I dunno, Hitler has never struck me as a half-assed kind of guy.

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by Reaper

So, World War II doesn't count then? Do you think that if the Axis would have prevailed in their domination of their respective regions that they would have simply said "North America? Bah, who needs it?" and left our countries alone? I dunno, Hitler has never struck me as a half-assed kind of guy.

Technically Canada did not join WWII out of fear of German invasion, they did it because the Commonwealth was pretty much on the same page about protecting Great Britain. Protecting Canadian independence wasn't really the cause for Canada's involvement in WWII (imo).

My condolences to Calgary EMS and the soldier's family. Too many Canadians have died over there.

[driveway]

Originally Posted by Reaper

So, World War II doesn't count then? Do you think that if the Axis would have prevailed in their domination of their respective regions that they would have simply said "North America? Bah, who needs it?" and left our countries alone? I dunno, Hitler has never struck me as a half-assed kind of guy.

No, WWII doesn't count because yes, the Axis would absolutely have left North America alone. The respective goals of Japan and Germany were not world, but rather regional domination. Neither of those nations would have been so foolish as to think they could have effectively waged a war of aggression here.

[Gozer]

Not an appropriate thread to jack gentlemen.

[jar_e]

As someone who worked with Starker on a professional level through Calgary EMS, I can only offer my sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. From what I know of him (and from others who talked about him), he was a stand up guy and a well respected member of society, contributing in so many ways than we'll know.

RIP Mike.