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Archiver > NFLD-LAB > 2004-02 > 1075672682


From: "Evelyn" <>
Subject: [NFLD-LAB] SAD "HOME-COMING" FOR NFLD'S FALLEN SOLDIER
Date: Sun, 1 Feb 2004 18:28:08 -0330


Transcribed, courtesy of "The Telegram", St. John;s, NL.

{Evelyn's note:} Newfoundland welcomes the remains of their fallen Hero and "Soldier Son" Cpl. Jamie Brendan Murphy, his resting Place, where there will always be peace.



Cpl. Murphy's remains arrive in Newfoundland

A commissioner at St. John's International Airport salutes the remains of Cpl. Jamie Brendan Murphy, who was killed in a suicide attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, Jan. 27. Royal Canadian Regiment comrades of Murphy's from CFB Petawawa carry his remains to a waiting hearse after his body arrived home in Newfoundland at St. John's International Airport Saturday afternoon. He will be buried with full military honours at his hometown of Conception Harbour Tuesday.


The body of Conception Harbour's Cpl. Jamie Brendan Murphy returned to his home soil Saturday afternoon.
Solemnly draped in the Canadian flag, the casket of Murphy, 26, was brought from a jetliner at St. John's International Airport to a waiting hearse by eight pallbearers in military dress from CFB Petawawa, amidst the sound of a lone bagpiper playing over strong winds.

Although Murphy's body has been in Canada since Thursday, Saturday's arrival marked the first time some members of his family - including his parents Norman and Alice, older brother John and sister-in-law - witnessed their son and brother honoured.

The family wished not to address media, but Maj.-Gen. Terry Hearn spoke on behalf of the military.

"As a native Newfoundlander . it is heart-wrenching for all of us," Hearn said from the airport tarmac. "I know the family is very emotional today and every Newfoundlander across the island and Labrador is feeling the same . it's very sad and very tragic."

Hearn had spoken with the family, who he said were sad, but very strong as well.

Also present for the arrival were three soldiers from Murphy's 3rd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment unit in Afghanistan. The trio have travelled with the corporal's remains since the 26-year-old soldier was killed in an attack by a suicide bomber last Tuesday.

Describing the ceremony surrounding Murphy's remains, Hearn said it was a display of respect and honour on behalf of the Canadian Forces.

"The ceremony is a military ceremony and each and every member of the Canadian Forces - like me- my soul is touched and affected by the loss of Jamie," he said. "We are showing respect to Jamie, a hero of our country and a hero for the province of Newfoundland."

Candace McCauley, Murphy's partner, has attended memorial services in Trenton and Pembroke, Ont., where thousands mourned and remembered the soldier's life. McCauley was to arrive in Newfoundland today.

Murphy was just five days away from fulfilling his six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan when a suicide bomber detonated two mortar bombs strapped to his chest while on a Canadian Iltis jeep.

The blast instantly killed Murphy and wounded three other soldiers, including 28-year-old Jeremy MacDonald of Burnt Islands.

"Murph," as he was affectionately referred to by friends, was on his second peacekeeping duty, having completed a previous peacekeeping tour in Kosovo.

Remembered for his infectious laugh and dedication to his duty and country, Murphy was honoured by Maj.-Gen. Marc Caron during the Pembroke memorial.

"Wherever he served, he made a difference as a soldier and a human being," Caron said at the ceremony. "He did not die in vain."

A funeral service for Murphy will take place Tuesday at 2 p.m. at St. Anne's Church in Conception Harbour. A public vigil for the fallen soldier will be held Monday night in the town.

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