Cpl. Starker, a reservist and medic from Calgary, was killed during a shootout in the Zhari district while on foot patrol with a civil-military co-operation team Tuesday morning.
As bagpipes played and the sun went down, Starker's flag-draped coffin was carried by his fellow medics across the Kandahar Airfield and into a military aircraft. Thousands of NATO soldiers stood at attention.
He was the 83rd Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan. One Canadian diplomat has also been killed.
"We give thanks for his warrior spirit, that enabled him on and off the field to be at the centre of the storm, practising the professional skills of saving lives," said Maj. Jim Short, the deputy chaplain for Joint Task Force Afghanistan. "For his compassion and his charisma - for the gift of humour - and his ability to hang in there until he had made you smile or laugh."
Pallbearers carry the coffin of Corporal Michael Starker of 15 Field Ambulance onto a Canadian Air Force aircraft during a Ramp ceremony at the Kandahar air field May 7, 2008.
Well done, Mike. Rest easy, mate. Your loved one's are in our thoughts and prayers!
See also: http://www.legacy.com/can-calgary/GB/Gu ... 0&PageNo=2
