Afghan people just want to live in peaceContinued from page 12Device (IED) attacks.Lloyd said the area can still be vio-lent at certain times of the year,although progress appeared to bebeing made while he was there.We arrived in September, at theend of the 2010 fighting season, andthere were occasions there when youcould tell Panjwaii was still unstable.Insurgents still roamed around, itwasnt as dangerous as everyone givesthe impression of, but you had to be onyour guard, said Lloyd.When fighting season endedaround winter time, things kind of Duncan Lloydcalmed down and then when fightingseason started up again, ISAF hadmadsaid that kids reflect what their parentse such an impact over the winterthink and if their parents didnt likethat Bazar-e Panjwaii was far better ISAF or were afraid of ISAF, the kidsthan it was when we arrived, far less would not approach. The fact that theinsurgent activity. We definitely saw a massive improvement thkids were approaching us showed theirere and we were happparents are really positive towardsy to see it.Even so, thISAF.e Taliban still made their pLloyd said during his time inresence known from time to time.On one occasion a rocket wasPanjwaii he also saw progress such as the building of a major road and thelaunched in the direction of Lloyds establishment of several schools.compound, but missed by a consider-Seeing these things and hearingable distance and caused nothing more from some of the locals that theythan the lights to flicker briefly.At othappreciated what he was doing madeer times, small groups of turning over the Panjwaii Districtinsurgents would approach the com-poundCentre command post to the Americans at night, fire off a few shots and in July almost bittersweet.then disappear into the darkness.LWe did feel bad handing it over toloyd said this was probably done to merethe Americans because you feel likely test the response of the security you are saying, Here you go guys. Oursurrounding the facility.Duringjobs not done, but you guys can carry his tour, Lloyds duties also on, but then every tour feels like that,saw him join foot patrols, which would said Lloyd.scale the nearby mountain and walk At the end of every tour, you feelthrough the mud brick villages and gthe job is not done yet and so I want torape fields of Panjwaii, searching for stay, but you have to go home, youinsurgent activity.have to hand it over to someone elseBasically youre thinking, Boy I hope I kbecause one person cannot stay thereeep my head screwed on, said Lforever. There really was the feeling of loyd.unfinished business though. You wantYou pay attention to whats unusual. You sort oto see it through to the end.f have a heightened sense bWhile Canadas combat mission inecause you know you are in a danger Afghanistan has come to an end, somearea. You look around to see who stands outCanadian soldiers will remain within in a crowd or Should that wire be the country to continue training thethere? There is the danger, but you just go out there and do Afghan National Army.your job.ThLloyd said he is happy Canada is notese foot patrols also gave Lloyd completely pulling out of the war-tornthe opportunity to see how regular Anation at this time.fghans reacted to the presence of the CanI am happy we are staying at leastadians.in Kabul because there is still a lot of Some people stared at you like they really, really hated you and somework that needs to be done, he said. pThey have been at war for 30 years.eople stared at you and said, Hi, and gThey still need our assistance becauseave you a wave. It was a very odd mix upthey have been at war for 30 years and, he said.they have had that holding them backWhen we went on patrol, kids were and with just a little bit of help they canapproaching us and asking for pens get that push to do so much better. Atand things like that and one of our guardthe end of the day, they just want to live commanders said that was a very goodin peace. sign. I asked why that was. He www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, July 21, 2011 14