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10 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, March 31, 2011 Far left: Soldiers take in a ball hockey game at Camp Kandahar. Left: Bryan Lewis in fatigues. Photo by Ted Brown Below: Signs pointing the way home for the soldiers. Afghan trip: Hortons, hockey and missile attacks Continued from pg. 1 The group was told they could not venture out of the Canadian confinement without an escort. Lewis said that rule was strictly enforced. "They had a number of `reminders' of home, for the troops stationed there," said Lewis. "There was a Tim Hortons and a KFC. It was within walking distance of our quarters, and we learned real quick that you had to be at "Tims" first thing in the morning, otherwise you had to wait in a monster lineup. "One day they ran out of water and there was no coffee," joked Lewis. "They damn near had a riot on their hands. "There are 35,000 people located there," said Lewis. "Think about it-- that's bigger than the town we live in. Within it, there were block buildings, brick buildings, and hundreds of tents all over the place. There are about 25 different countries represented in the ISAF (International Security Assistance Force), of which Canada is one. "We ate in monster-sized cafeterias, very efficiently, with pretty good food. But I can honestly say I think I've had enough rice to do me for a while." The program for four ball hockey games was called `Hockey Night in Kandahar' and all sorts of personnel took part, from NHL alumni, to some troops-- an eclectic collection of people having fun. Lewis officiated. In addition to the games, there were various stage shows featuring comedians, the Als' cheerleaders and a rock concert headlined by the Carpet Frogs. While not taking part in the program, Lewis and the others had tours of the military vehicles, took a turn on the simulator firing range, and were shown various equipment used in the mission in Afghanistan, even small unmanned reconnaissance aircraft that circled the area continually, checking out the movements of troops, people and armour. "We tried on a `typical pack' that the guys wore out on patrol," said Lewis. "It weighed more than 100 lbs., not counting the body armour they wear! "We had one missile attack," said Lewis. "When we arrived, we were told that if we heard the sirens, we were to get down on the floor, cover our head and wait until it was over. The night it came in, I was in my bunk, and being a typical Georgetown boy, I opened the door to see what was happening. There was a military guy lying on the floor with his head covered, and I said `Oh, this is for real?' and he said, `Yes sir, it is. You'd better get down.' In spite of that one (attack), I never once feared for my safety." Lewis said hockey legends Lanny McDonald, Tiger Williams and Chris Nilan were big favourites. They had all been to Afghanistan before, so they sometimes took a different approach to the tour, stopping by hospitals, or chatting with military personnel. The ball hockey games were especially popular, as hundreds of troops lined the boards to watch. After every game, all military personnel were invited to go on the floor and photos were taken of everyone. Lewis purchased a T-shirt and had as many soldiers sign it as possible. He also received a medal from General Milner, and combat fatigues with his honourary rank. Lewis was named Master Warrant Officer (MWO). Lewis is the first to say he is changed from the experience. "I have a far greater respect for all past military personnel and those men and women who are representing our country today in many troubled areas," said Lewis, "I don't think any one of us wants war, but when you see what the Canadian Forces are doing over there, they are working with the people, helping the Afghani people learn how to be police officers, school teachers, and all sorts of professions, so they can stand on their own. "It made me feel so good, to see what our Canadian troops are doing, first-hand, to make it a better place. And I can honestly say, they represent us very, very proudly. "When I arrived in Ottawa, and drove back home, I stopped in Kingston for lunch and there was a young guy in uniform sitting with his wife. I told him I had nothing but respect for his uniform, and we talked for a bit. I said I'd just come from Kandahar, and as it turned out, he was leaving for there that very night. "I told him and his wife how safe I felt there-- I hoped his wife felt a bit better from what I said. Then he asked me one thing, `I hear there's a Tim Hortons there,' to which I said, `Yes there, is, but I have one piece of advice.'" "What's that?" he asked. "You gotta get there early," joked Lewis. "It was awesome," said Lewis. "Seeing so much emotion, and being a small part of it." Soldiers line up outside Tim Hortons at Camp Kandahar. Photo courtesy Bryan Lewis Before leaving for home, Part of the Kandahar base tour saw Lewis and others checking out a bunker (left) taking a turn on the simulator firing range (centre) and viewing various equipment used in the mission in Afghani- stan, including small unmanned reconnaissance aircraft (right) that circled the area continually, checking out the movements of troops, people and armour. Photos courtesy Bryan Lewis