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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday January 27, 2007 - 35 Soldier shared his tour of Afghanistan with students By Grace Johnson GRADE 11, T.A. BLAKELOCK T he students and staff at T.A. Blakelock received a special gift this holiday season. Former student, Cpl. Charlie Long, 21, visited his old high school and spoke to the students about his recent experiences in Afghanistan. Long signed up for the military the day after his Grade 12 formal in 2003. While most of his friends were headed for college or university, Long knew that path wasn't for him. After an extensive explanation of military lingo and background on who he is and his job within the army, Long started a slide show of pictures taken from his seven-month tour in Afghanistan. One photo showed a smiling Long beside a Canadian flag flapping in the wind. Although flying the flag wasn't allowed, Long made an exception for Canada Day. During the first couple of months, Long's days were filled with patrolling the area and learning to cope with the hot climate. In the summer time, the temperature would reach a scorching 60 degrees Celsius. Each person was required to drink almost a full case of water in a day to stay hydrated. Long lost 35 pounds during his tour. It was not only a physically demanding experience, but an emotional one as well. The audience listened intently as Long recalled the events of one particular disastrous day. A convoy traveling down a road was hit by an IED or Improvised Explosive Device. IEDs are bombs planted in the ground and most commonly set off by the click of a cell phone by the attacker while hiding in the hills. Long's good friend was severely injured and lost both of his legs. They had to wait two hours before a helicopter could reach them. Long remembers how much his friend wanted his iPod. Nor will he ever forget having to carry out the bodies or four Canadian soldiers from a school after a deadly ambush. Although it is still very BARRIE ERSKINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER GUEST SPEAKER: Corporal Charlie Long presented a slide show and talk about his sevenmonth tour of duty in Afghanistan to students at his former high school, T. A. Blakelock. difficult to cope with, Long per cent supported the to kill the villagers if they says they died so he and the Taliban, another 20 per revealed their location to rest of the troops could cent supported the the Canadians. return home. Canadians and the remainThe Canadians drove a According to Long, ing 60 per cent just wanted hard bargain, too. They whenever his division to be left alone. would offer the village a entered a new village, 20 The Taliban threatened well in return for informa- tion on the Taliban. By sharing his personal story, Long helped the students to appreciate their way of life. His powerful presentation left them with the sense that the little things in life are more precious than they realized. No matter what the public's political view on the war in Afghanistan is, Long urged the crowd to support the troops. When asked what was the most rewarding part of his trip, Long was caught off guard. After a moment to think, he replied that seeing the children of Afghanistan, who are so innocent in all of this war. This demonstrates what a selfless, humble and inspiring person Charlie is. Long recently signed up for another three years of service with the Canadian military. Thank you Charlie! PUBLIC AUCTION HERITAGE AUCTIONEERS INTERNATIONAL CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CERTIFIED N.W.T. 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