Calgary soldier killed in ambush
Three more dead raises Canadian toll 96 soldiersStephane Massinon and Sarah McGinnis, with files from Kim Guttormson, Calgary Herald, Calgary Herald; with files from Canwest News ServicePublished: Thursday, September 04, 2008Private Chad Horn was under no illusions about the dangers he'd face in Afghanistan. The risks were written in bold letters across his back.
"For those I love I will sacrifice," his tattoo said.
"For those I love I will sacrifice," his tattoo said.
Horn was 10 days from reuniting with his mother Anita and sister Tiffany back in Calgary when the 21-year-old LAV gunner's vehicle came under attack Wednesday morning in the volatile Zhari District of Kandahar province.
Pte. Chadwick James Horn was killed along with two other Canadian soldiers, Cpl. Andrew Paul Grenon, 23, and Cpl. Michael James Alexander Seggie, 21. To date, 96 Canadian soldiers, including five Calgarians, have died in Afghanistan since fighting began in 2001.
Loved ones who had been counting down until his homecoming were left reeling from word of Horn's death."He believed in what he was fighting for. We are so very sad that we will not be able to see what lay ahead in life for this amazing young man," Darlene Horn said of her nephew.
The 21-year-old leaves behind his mother Anita and sister Tiffany, who live in Calgary, his father Jim, who resides in Edmonton, and extended family across Canada.
Recently, Horn had been thinking about life after his tour and considered leaving the regular forces to become a police officer, said the fallen soldier's grandmother, Dora Horn.
But Horn was also a proud soldier.
His Facebook page features an image of Horn in his helmet, army fatigues and rifle lounging with other soldiers next to a mud brick wall.
An icon on his site has "I am a soldier" written over dog tags and elsewhere on the webpage Horn describes his unit, 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, as the "Best Battalion around!"
"He loved what he was doing. He liked the services. He never complained," said his grandmother.
"When we heard he was going to Kandahar and you know how we all say 'oh no, not there.' Well, that wasn't him. He said, 'I want to go.' "
Horn grew up in Calgary, attending Braeside Elementary and John Ware Junior High before graduating from Henry Wise Wood High School in 2004. He considered joining the Armed Forces when military recruiters came to his school in Grade 12, said high school friend Joel Goddard.
Goddard recalls that Horn felt military service could be a good way to launch a career in law enforcement.
"He was a smart student and totally dedicated to everything he had to do. If he put his heart and mind to it, he got it done -- no matter what," said Goddard.
Before committing to life as a soldier, Horn tried his hands at a couple retail jobs, including working at Petland and Best Buy. Former Best Buy co-worker Bryan Gray describes Horn as enjoying partying, music, sports, cars and motorcycles.
He always "danced like a fool" and "was hilarious to party with," said Gray.
"He was a great guy who always had a smile on his face, and if you didn't, he'd make sure to put one there. He'd bend over backwards for any one of his friends without hesitation. He worked hard at everything he did but not without having fun," Gray said.
Pte. Chadwick James Horn was killed along with two other Canadian soldiers, Cpl. Andrew Paul Grenon, 23, and Cpl. Michael James Alexander Seggie, 21. To date, 96 Canadian soldiers, including five Calgarians, have died in Afghanistan since fighting began in 2001.
Loved ones who had been counting down until his homecoming were left reeling from word of Horn's death."He believed in what he was fighting for. We are so very sad that we will not be able to see what lay ahead in life for this amazing young man," Darlene Horn said of her nephew.
The 21-year-old leaves behind his mother Anita and sister Tiffany, who live in Calgary, his father Jim, who resides in Edmonton, and extended family across Canada.
Recently, Horn had been thinking about life after his tour and considered leaving the regular forces to become a police officer, said the fallen soldier's grandmother, Dora Horn.
But Horn was also a proud soldier.
His Facebook page features an image of Horn in his helmet, army fatigues and rifle lounging with other soldiers next to a mud brick wall.
An icon on his site has "I am a soldier" written over dog tags and elsewhere on the webpage Horn describes his unit, 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, as the "Best Battalion around!"
"He loved what he was doing. He liked the services. He never complained," said his grandmother.
"When we heard he was going to Kandahar and you know how we all say 'oh no, not there.' Well, that wasn't him. He said, 'I want to go.' "
Horn grew up in Calgary, attending Braeside Elementary and John Ware Junior High before graduating from Henry Wise Wood High School in 2004. He considered joining the Armed Forces when military recruiters came to his school in Grade 12, said high school friend Joel Goddard.
Goddard recalls that Horn felt military service could be a good way to launch a career in law enforcement.
"He was a smart student and totally dedicated to everything he had to do. If he put his heart and mind to it, he got it done -- no matter what," said Goddard.
Before committing to life as a soldier, Horn tried his hands at a couple retail jobs, including working at Petland and Best Buy. Former Best Buy co-worker Bryan Gray describes Horn as enjoying partying, music, sports, cars and motorcycles.
He always "danced like a fool" and "was hilarious to party with," said Gray.
"He was a great guy who always had a smile on his face, and if you didn't, he'd make sure to put one there. He'd bend over backwards for any one of his friends without hesitation. He worked hard at everything he did but not without having fun," Gray said.
.WOW.WOW.WOW.
Chad Horn worked with me at Petland when I was 17, he was my very first kiss...A summer love if you will...Carissa will remember him with me...haha...warm summer nights on the ridge in cranston, remember?
he was a great, fun, gentle, hilarious guy, and I will always remember him. walking to the train this morning I looked over at the herald and right there on the front page was a HUGE picture of Chad...I just felt sick to my stomach. I will be perfectly honest, I havent thought alot about the Afghanistan mission... I try and stay neutral to contraversy....butI have a close friend there right now named Matt...and I pray for him daily. how devistating to a family when you lose a son. I can only imagine. those who know me...know I have a tiny fear of people close to me dying...im a little shook right now, and I havent really spoken to chad in a while. we chit chatted on facebook before he went to afghanistan...I wish I had remembered him in my prayers more,
now I do what I can praying for his family.
not alot on any other front. I just wanted to post this. im a little shell shocked...again, those who know me...im freaking out... im going to put my head down and work today. it could be another long one.
.x.x.
R.
5 comments:
aww, hun. Hugs to you. First kisses-- yep, you don't forget those.
Oh breaks my heart. What a darling kid. I hope you're okay babe. I appreciate so much those soldiers, they are amazing. I don't think about them and pray for them often enough. I'm going to start today.
aww rach im so sorry, what a brave guy he was though!
-andrea
Hey
I knew him as well, I danced with his sister tiffany! I hate to ear things like that. Tiff lost her bf about 3 yrs ago and now her bro, wow It must be hard on the family.
Rachel I am so sad. he was a great guy. we had a lot of fun that summer. I hope you're doing ok...
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