Remembering RJ

[duane_mills]

<p>For those of us who live in Canada, Friday past saddened many of our hearts with the deaths of 3 soldiers from the First Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment. While we often see the DND file photos of the men and women who have paid the ultimate price while serving their country and their fellow man, it's rare to see our service personnel as somebody's father, somebody's spouse, somebody's son or somebody's friend. This past Friday my friend Warrant Officer Rob (RJ) Wilson was killed in the line of duty. RJ was a good person who in a quiet unassuming way helped others, inspired many and was a friend to all who knew him. Our world will be a lesser place without him. Today as my thoughts are directed to good memories and my prayers to his family and young children, I'd like to share a few photos of an ordinary Canadian who believed in making the world a better place... </p><div></div>

[duane_mills]

<p>Another photo...</p><div></div>

[duane_mills]

<p>And the last photo...</p><div></div>

[jgredline]

<p>Duane, Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. My condolences go out to you and the family.</p>

[mountainvisions]

<p>Very sad Duane. My condolences to you, and RJ's friends and family. </p>

[hagar]

<p>That is so very sad Duane, my condolences to you and his young family.</p>

[roseberry guitars]

<p>I'm very sorry for your loss of a good friend and for his family's loss of husband and father.</p>

[shaloot]

<p>Sorry to hear of the loss of your good friend, Duane.  My condolences to you and your family as well as his friends and family.</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>Tragic. It's hard to lose anyone this way. I hope your pictures and memories will help you in the days and years to come.</p>

[michael_kuhne]

<p>Duane, I offer my sympathy with the others.   The tragic loss of these fine young people is a terrible thing, and the loss of a good friend or family member is beyond description.  I hope those fond memories will help lighten your heart over the years.</p>

[miserere_mei]

<p>Duane, while the loss of a loved one is always hard, knowing that they gave their life doing what they wanted, did best, and even more importantly, helped their country, should be of some consolation to you. We all wish we could go that way. Just not so soon.</p>

<p>I am sure that wherever he is, he apreciates that you're commemorating him as a person, not as a number.</p>

<p>R.I.P. RJ.<br>

 </p>

[craig_richman]

<p>Duane, my thoughts and prayers to you and RJ's family, time for all to always remember those who have lost their lives so that we can be free to express ourselves through our pictures and words.</p>

[musings]

<p>Duane -- it was with a very heavy heart that I read your post about RJ.  For those of us who live in relative freedom and security, we should not let RJ's sacrifice pass without due honor and our eternal gratitude.  -Jeff</p>

[ed_yuen]

Duane:

 

As a fellow Canadian I feel your loss, perhaps not as personally but I feel it nonetheless. Your photos give him a depth that is often missing when we see these 'obits' in the news. Perhaps, one day you and others who have lost loved ones over in Afghanistan will get together and do up a decent tribute to these men & women in the form of pictures and print, if only to show that those who gave up their lives were more than just faces in uniforms, that they were real people,with real hopes and dreams, and with people who really cared for and loved them.

 

My condolences to the family and friends.

 

Ed

[stemked]

<p>My thoughts will be with you and RJ's family this evening. Your tribute to him honours his memory and saddens us in his loss.</p>

<p> </p>

[tomadakis]

<p>Rob (RJ) Wilson, may your memory be eternal, may God rest your soul at a place of piece and spiritual content.</p>

[michael_elenko]

<p>Duane,<br>

I am sorry for your loss. May RJ live on in your memories and the memories of those who also love him.</p>

<p>ME</p>

[garry_young1]

<p>This saddens me. There is wrong in this world, too much in fact. My condolences.</p>

[bob-c]

Duane, this is very sad news. My condolences to you and RJ's family.

[shots worth sharing]

<p>So sad to lose such a vibrant young man.</p>

[andrewg_ny]

<p>Duane, very sad to hear about this.  I lost a cousin in Iraq a couple of years ago and know that this holiday season will no doubt be very tough for his family & friends.  It can be difficult but I have always tried to remember that he (and other dedicated people like him) felt strongly about his purpose and was doing exactly what he wanted to do.  My thoughts are with you.</p>

[bmichel]

<p>I struggle for words after reading your eloquent tribute and and seeing the photos of a young man lost to all who knew and loved him.  My condolences to you and his family. </p>

[rogerdaltx]

<p>Duane, I'm very sorry to hear of the loss of your friend.  I assume this was in Afghanistan.  My heart goes out to you and his family.  Thank you helping to return the humanity to the news reports.</p>

[personalphotos]

<p>Duane, I as well am very sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. The pictures and words show a great guy who was taken far to young. Your post is a great tribute to him and difficult to read. My thoughts and condolences go out to you and his family during this difficult time.</p>

[duane_mills]

<p>Thank you everyone for your kind words and prayers for RJ's children, family and friends. Having great memories and photographs of terrific moments will help all of Rob's family and friends in the days ahead. It has been both an honor and privilege to know RJ and call him my friend.</p>

<p> </p>