Image

Linda Smith hopes a movie about the life and death of a Canadian soldier in Afghanistan will help people remember those who sacrificed their lives there.

In March of 2009, 22-year old Trooper Marc Diab of The Royal Canadian Dragoons was killed in Afghanistan when his vehicle struck an Improvised Explosive Device.

The movie If I Should Fall tells the story of Marc’s life through the accounts of those who loved him: his family, his comrades of D Squadron, and his girlfriend. In the film, the human face behind the honour and sacrifice of the soldiers is seen.

Smith of the Lambton County Military Support Group says the film will be shown at Victoria Hall Sunday at 6:30pm. Afterwards, the director will be taking about the film and the impact he hopes it will have.

Smith says Diab’s “came from war-torn country to Canada where it was peaceful but then wanted to go to help other people…while they were heartbroken by his death, his parents were very proud.”

The film includes interviews with his families and pictures of Diab as a child. It also includes some of the video the soldier took while he was in Afghanistan before his death.

Smith says the movie is very moving and she’s hopeful it will help people appreciate the sacrifices which have been made.

“With the 70th anniversary of D-Day….see graves overseas…that’s not going to happen in Afghanistan’

“In order for people to remember these young people who gave their lives and those who came home and are wounded…this is all they’re going to get to see.”

She believes it is very important now to recognize the Afghanistan soldiers since the federal government’s support for veterans is called into question.

“Most of the soldiers I know… They want to be able to live a life and contribute…so they need the hand up not the hand out…the way in which the things have been changed (at the federal level), yes, its probably way to costly…but it’s the cost of the administration.

“I hope what the film does it gives viewers is another way to look at it because now there is a face and a family to associate with the veteran.”

 

Share This

Image
Front Page

Conservation authority watching flood waters as rain continues

December 9, 2024

Today’s rain is likely to cause some flooding according to the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority. Officials expect ponding to occur in low-lying areas as the soil become saturated. Here’s the authority’s bulletin. Message: Rain-on-Snow event •             10 mm to 35 mm in precipitation (snow-water equivalent) over the past week •             5 mm to 15 mm of rain forecast for

Read More

Image
Entertainment

Twenty years of ‘bringing joy’ and a some jingle to merchants

December 6, 2024

Cathy Dobson/The Independent The motor coaches delivering visitors to Victoria Playhouse Petrolia’s annual Starbright Christmas show this week, isn’t just a sign the musical powerhouse is back for its 20th year. It’s adding some jingle to the pockets of the owners of restaurants and local shops part of an annual Christmas economic boom. This year, 30 motor coaches from all

Read More

Image
Front Page

Bears, Bees and Squires, Oh My; Petrolia host Teddy Bear Toss game Friday

December 6, 2024

Barry Wright/The Independent The heated rivalry between the Petrolia Squires and Alvinston Killer Bees will be used to help those less fortunate when the teams meet in Ontario Super Hockey League action this Friday at Greenwood. The Squires and Bees have challenged their respective fans to a teddy bear toss when the teams go head-to-head for the second time this

Read More

Image
Front Page

Flaring from Nova ‘disruption’ seen as far south as Dresden

December 6, 2024

Nova Chemical’s says a disruption in their process at the Corunna facility is responsible for a large flare which lit up the night sky Thursday. The glow and flame from the stack could be seen as far south as Dresden. “We are actively working to return the facility to normal operating conditions as soon as possible,” the company said in

Read More