Judith Budd, mother of Cpl. Shane Keating, told reporters Thursday that her son died fighting for a cause he believed in.
An emotional Budd said her son told her in a conversation they had that “people have to know” that even though soldiers will die, it will make a difference to the Afghan people.
“He said most of us will come home and you can’t just look at the individual, because most of us will come home, and the ones who don’t made a difference and it’s worth it,” she said, crying.
“Nothing is worth losing a son but everything — everything — is worth a man willing to take that risk and to die for what he believes in.”
Mickey Keating said his nephew believed his path in life was to help those in need, and the family supported his choice.
“It’s time for the Canadian nation to support our sons and daughters in harm’s way, to protect, to facilitate and plant the seeds of justice and freedom in the world.
“Shane would not want Canada and the UN to pull the soldiers home before the job is done.”
The Keating family’s comments came the same day Prime Minister Stephen Harper appeared before the UN General Assembly and appealed for more help in Afghanistan.
Keating, 30, was killed along with Cpl. Glen Arnold of McKerrow, Ont.; Pte. David Byers, 22, of Espanola, Ont.; and Cpl. Keith Morley, 30, of Winnipeg when a man on a bicycle detonated a bomb near Canadian troops on foot patrol in the Panjwayi district.
Byers, Keating and Morley were from the second battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based in Shilo, Mba., while Arnold was stationed with 2 Field Ambulance out of CFB Petawawa in Ontario.
“Our Shane paid the ultimate price for his willingness to go beyond the safe haven of Canadian borders in an attempt to help other world citizens,” said Mickey Keating.
“Those who love the world serve it in action. Shane Keating was a loving member of our family. He loved the world and chose to serve it as a proud member of the Canadian military.”
The bodies of the four soldiers were expected to arrive back in Canada on Saturday at CFB Trenton