About Richard 'Steve' Leary
From the Prime Minister of Canada
Statement by Prime Minister Harper on the Death of Captain Richard (Steve) Leary
"On behalf of the Government of Canada and all Canadians, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Captain Richard (Steve) Leary who died today in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.
“Captain Leary was killed while engaged with insurgents during a joint security patrol in the Panjwayi District. He was making a difference, working alongside his fellow soldiers, to rebuild a war torn country.
“The Afghan people have a right to freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. These are the values that we hold dear in Canada and these are values that our brave Canadian Forces’ members are working to promote in Afghanistan.
“We honour Captain Leary’s sacrifice. His efforts will not be forgotten.”
A life bravely lived
Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan
Updated Tue. Jun. 3 2008 2:45 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian soldier was killed Tuesday morning in Afghanistan when his convoy came under enemy attack in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar province.
Capt. Richard Steve Leary was killed during a dismounted security patrol with Afghan partners, said Colonel Jamie Cade during a Tuesday news conference.
"Captain Leary was what we in uniform are expected to be. Captain Leary was a soldier and Captain Leary was a leader," Cade said.
"In his memory and the memory of those that have gone before him we remain steadfast in our resolve to bring peace and stability to the people of Afghanistan. He will be greatly missed by his military family."
Leary, 32, was a platoon commander with 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based out of Shilo, Man.
Originally from Brantford, Ont., hewas on his first overseas mission. He leaves behind a wife, his parents and sister.
His repatriation ceremony is tentatively scheduled for June 6.
Leary was on a joint patrol with members of the Afghan National Security Forces in the Panjwaii region in southern Kandahar province when the group came under small arms fire from Taliban militants. The soldiers returned fire, then repositioned under Leary's leadership, when he was struck at about 9:30 a.m. local time, Cade said.
Close air support was called in and the insurgents were defeated.
Leary was airlifted to the medical facility at Kandahar Airfield where he was pronounced dead by a medical officer.
"Every death is deeply painful to us, but it is a risk that we as members of the Canadian Armed Forces understand and assume as we work to bring peace and stability to a country that has been torn apart by war," Cade said.
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