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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, November 9, 2012 · 8 Father of three killed by Taliban insurgents Continued from page 1 "Veterans, we will always be influenced by your unbreakable spirit and your unwavering courage," said Kristin Courtney, MEDIchair Halton founder. "Today and every day, we honour you, your comrades who have passed on, and those who have given their lives in service to our country. We will never forget the tremendous sacrifices that have been made and that continue to be made for our freedom." Veterans were also thanked for their service as hundreds of cards made by students from Oakville and Burlington were presented to them. The veterans heard from local politicians MP Terence Young, MPP Kevin Flynn and Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. Young noted the appreciation luncheon began in 2002 with only a handful of veterans attending, but has grown every year since into the mammoth event it is today. With the approach of Remembrance Day, Young said, Canadians have been finding their own meaningful ways to connect with veterans because they recognize the contributions Canada's veterans have made by helping to end oppression during the First World War, Second World War and Korean War; and in places like Afghanistan and Libya. Flynn said with the disappearance of the First World War veterans and the dwin- dling numbers of Second World War veterans, now more than ever it is important to pass the tradition of remembrance on to the next generation. Carr said 1.5 million Canadians have served in Canada's military since the First World War with more than 100,000 Canadians making the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the freedoms so many take for granted today. The words `ultimate sacrifice' and what they truly mean were made clear through the telling of the story of Cpl. Robert Mitchell, 32, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2006. Canadian Forces Master Cpl. and Oakville firefighter Allan Kiss made the tribute to his fallen comrade whom he The Regional Municipality of Halton Access Halton at: www.halton.ca Dial 311 NOTICE OF CONSTRUCTION Wastewater Main Installation Upper Middle Road (Reg. Rd. 38), Ford Drive (Reg. Rd. 13) and Sheridan Garden Drive Town of Oakville said worked furiously to get into the Canadian Forces after an ankle injury during training nearly ended his military career before it even began. Kiss described Mitchell, who grew up in Owen Sound, Ont., as a devoted father of three, who enjoyed spending time with his children and who married his sweetheart Leanne on Nov. 25, 2000. Kiss said Mitchell was killed when a rocket-propelled grenade, fired by Taliban insurgents, struck the Coyote reconnaissance vehicle he was in. Mitchell and three other Canadian soldiers had been providing security for an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) team, which had been clearing mines, when the attack occurred. "He believed in the mission and that the people of Afghanistan should be able to enjoy the same freedoms we take for granted here in Canada," said Kiss. In an act of remembrance, Mitchell's likeness and the like- ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVER / @halton_photog Ultimate loss: Carol and Bob Mitchell, parents of the late Cpl. Robert Mitchell, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2006, attended the 11th annual Veterans' Appreciation Luncheon, at which a tribute was paid to their son. nesses of the 157 other Canadian Forces members who have died in Afghanistan (including Oakville's Col. Geoff Parker) were brought together in a massive painting set up outside the conference centre. The three-metre by 12-metre mural took artist Dave Sopha, of Cambridge, Ont., more than three years to create. See Oakville page 9 SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN th - 9:00 a.m. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17th During the Santa Claus Parade, the following roads, and adjacent streets will be closed from 7-11 a.m.: · Lakeshore Road from Allan Street to Kerr Street · Kerr Street from Lakeshore Road to Stewart Street · Stewart Street from Kerr Street to Maurice Drive · Felan Avenue from Stewart Street to Rebecca Street · Rebecca Street from Dorval Drive to Forsythe Street · Robinson Street from Navy Street to Allan Street The co-operation of all motorists is requested. For additional information on road closures, contact Bob deHoog, Road Corridor/Permit Co-ordinator, 905.845.6601 ext. 3337. Don't worry about parking, take the free Santa Shuttle provided by Oakville Transit. The free Santa Shuttle runs every 10 minutes from the Oakville GO Station stopping at all regular stops along Reynolds to the Church/Dunn bus terminal. The Santa Shuttle will begin at 8 am with the last Santa Shuttle leaving downtown at 11:30 am. Please note that for safety reasons children must be removed from strollers and/or wagons while on the bus. Strollers must be folded and wagons put in an upright position. During the Parade, Oakville Transit will detour Routes 2, 14, 15 and 17 out of the Parade area. To ensure emergency vehicle and public access, visibility and traffic flow, residents and visitors are asked to adhere to parking regulations during the Parade. TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES FREE SANTA SHUTTLE Contract Number: Scheduled Start Date: Scheduled Completion Date: Project Manager: S-2682-12 November 2012 May 2013 Martin Larkin 905-825-6000 x 7614 091112 Please contact us, as soon as possible, if you have any accessibility needs at Halton Region events or meetings. visit: www.oakvillesantaclausparade.ca Oakville Santa Claus Parade For more information on the or leave a message at: 905-815-5981