GG pays Christmas visit to troops overseas

Governor General David Johnston visits with Canadian Forces personnel at Camp Blackhorse in Kabul on Dec. 25, 2011. (Master Cpl. Chris Ward/DND/HO)

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Canadian troops and civilians serving overseas got a special Christmas visit.

Governor General David Johnston, joined by Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Walt Natynczyk, travelled to Italy and Afghanistan over Christmas to personally thank our representatives abroad.

"It was a privilege to extend my heartfelt gratitude and support to the Canadian men and women in uniform, and the many diplomats, aid specialists and police officers deployed abroad, who are committed to making parts of the world a safer and better place," Johnston said. "The sacrifice of troops and civilians who are away from their families and friends at this time of the year is tremendous, and I wish them the best of luck in the completion of their missions."

In Rome, the GG met with troops on the HMCS Vancouver and thanked them for their efforts in the NATO mission in Libya that led to that country's liberation in October.

Johnston attended the state funeral of Vaclav Havel, former president of the Czech Republic, then went on to Kabul, where he met with the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai.

He later stopped in at the Armed Forces Academy of Medical Sciences, where Canadian Forces medical personnel are mentoring Afghan medical staff. Then he visited with troops at Camp Alamo, Camp Blackhorse and Canada House, where Canadian performers put on a Christmas concert.

Canada ended its 10-year combat mission in Afghanistan earlier this year, but Canadian troops are still in the country in a training capacity until 2014.

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Source: http://www.torontosun.com/2011/12/25/gg-pays-christmas-visit-to-troops-overseas

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