Corporal Robbie Christopher Beerenfenger, 29, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Ottawa, Canada Killed when the lead vehicle of his patrol struck an explosive device while on patrol near Camp Julien, the main Canadian camp in southwest Kabul, Afghanistan, on October 2, 2003

When John Beerenfenger heard that his only grandson had been killed yesterday in Afghanistan, he said a silent prayer. Then wept for hours. His grandson wouldn't approve, he thought to himself. Even though Cpl. Robbie Beerenfenger's wife had just given birth to their fourth child, he didn't think twice when he got the call to serve in Kabul.

He believed in this mission and his sense of duty drowned out any worries he had about leaving his wife, Tina, and their children behind at CFB Petawawa.

"Everyone in the family is devastated. We're still in tears," the elder Beerenfenger said from his home in Carleton Place, near Ottawa.