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www.independentfreepress.com Sojourn in Afghanistan Local soldier thrilled by PM's secret visit LISA TALLYN Staff Writer While she could not be prouder of her son Randy-- a lieutenant-colonel in the Canadian military-- for the work he is doing in Afghanistan, Ann Smith of Georgetown admits that it's nerve-racking having him there. With the recent deaths and injuries of Canadian soldiers in that country, Ann dreads watching the news. "I feel like I've got butterflies in my tummy all the time," said Ann. "I feel nervous for all the ones over there." But while she worries for her son's safety, she says she knows that he is exactly where he wants to be, doing the work he loves. Randy Smith's role in Afghanistan is a little different than the average Canadian soldier. The former Georgetown resident, who grew up here but now lives in Ottawa, is the senior ranking Canadian legal officer in Kandahar dealing with Canadian legal issues for the country of Afghanistan. A McGill-educated lawyer, Smith's main role in the country during his six-month tour, is to advise the commander, Brigadier-General David Fraser, on operational law, claims and personnel law issues and discipline. Smith, 50, credits local lawyer Fred Helson of Helson, Kogon, Schaljo and Ashbee, where he articled, with providing him a solid grounding in law that he continues to benefit from today. In Afghanistan he also settle claims when Canadian soldiers are in accidents with Afghan civilian vehicles, as was the case March 2 when an armoured vehicle collided with a civilian taxi claiming the lives of two soldiers and injuring six others. Smith spoke to The Independent & Free Press via email about the past month he's spent in Afghanistan. See SOLDIERS, pg. 3 Curling curious Matthew Butson,7, tries out curling at the Curling for the Curious day held at the Acton Curling Club Saturday morning. Photo by Sabrina Byrnes x