B.C. mother whose son died in Afghanistan says Canada needs to help its citizens

It has been 15 years since Maureen Eykelenboom’s son Andrew was killed by a suicide bomber. Afghanistan.

Corporal Andrew “Boomer” Eykelenboom was a Canadian Armed Forces medic who was on a seven-month tour when he was killed.

Now, after so many years, Eykelenboom said that she saw pictures of Afghan residents fearing and fleeing for their lives on TV because Taliban Take over the country.

“It’s very sad. It’s very sad for these people. Our sons and daughters go to win people’s hearts. And know that we can’t maintain it, maintain the improvement track, if you want, it’s very sad,” Eykelenboom said.

“The world is cruel. We live in Canada, even in Coronavirus disease Compared with many countries in the world, we live in an unreal situation. “

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Since the death of her son, Eykelenboom founded The legacy of baby boomers, It provides charitable funds for deployed Canadian armed forces soldiers, sailors, pilots and female pilots so that they can help others.

She said that looking at news clips of Afghan residents and young people, she wondered if one of them was the child her son was trying to help.

“We have a reputation for kindness in this world, let us keep it. And give. We need to keep that reputation, we need to do the right thing,” she said.

Defense Secretary Harjit Sajjan said on Wednesday that two Canadian military aircraft will resume “regular” flights to Kabul as part of an international effort to evacuate civilians and citizens fleeing the area. Taliban take over.

Global News confirmed that this development took place after Canada and the United States reached an agreement to allow Canadian aircraft to start in and out of Kabul.

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“I believe that all countries that go to help need to continue to help, otherwise we will be ashamed,” Eykelenboom said.

“Respect their promise. Do the right thing. This is my request. This is not rocket science.”