Corporal Jean-François Drouin
1988 - 6 Sep 2009
Final respects paid to Cpl. Jean-Francois Drouin
Updated Sat. Sep. 19 2009 2:52 PM ET
The Canadian Press
QUEBEC CITY -- Mourners filled a stately Quebec City church
to capacity on Saturday to pay their final respects to Cpl.
Jean-Francois Drouin, killed in Afghanistan Sept. 6.
The military funeral service for the 31-year-old soldier took
place in the century-old Saint-Louis-de-Courville church in the
borough of Beauport.
Drouin, known as 'Big Drou' to his friends and remembered as
someone who liked to make others laugh, was born in the
province's capital.
He died in roadside bomb blast southwest of Kandahar City,
along with colleague Maj. Yannick Pepin, both members of the 5
Combat Engineer Regiment based at CFB Valcartier, Que.
He went to Afghanistan for the first time last April.
The soldier's family says he was a veteran soldier who
relished his leadership role.
Pte. Simon Trudel, who worked with Drouin in Afghanistan,
says the attendance of so many family, friends and colleagues at
his funeral serves as a testament to his life.
"He was positive, always there for others and proud of
his job," Trudel told French-language CBC on Saturday.
"The last tribute we can pay to him is right here."
Audrey Beaucage, wife of late Cpl.
Jean-Francois Drouin, released a dove after the funeral service
as Drouin's father Marc and sister Marie-Claude, looked on.
Family of slain soldier says he was a leader
Updated Tue. Sep. 8 2009 1:43 PM ET, The
Canadian Press
MONTREAL
-- The family of a soldier killed in Afghanistan has paid
tribute to the man in a statement that lauds his devotion to
Canada's military.
Cpl. Jean-Francois Drouin's family says he was a veteran
soldier who relished his leadership role.
The family says he became a soldier by choice and believed in
the mission.
Drouin and a fellow Quebecer, Maj. Yannick Pepin, were killed
over the weekend by a roadside bomb.
"Despite the terrible news that has afflicted us with
the death of Jean-Francois, he achieved the challenge he set for
himself," the statement said.
"Jean-Francois had an ardent desire to help others and
he believed in his mission in Afghanistan. . . In our eyes, you
were an experienced soldier of exemplary leadership and devotion
to your regiment."
The family recalled that Drouin's friends called him Bid Drou
-- or Big Chest -- because of the physique he'd developed after
working hard in the gym.
"Jean-Francois, we'll miss you tremendously and your
absence will create a large emptiness in our lives. We are proud
of the man you were and you will always be in our hearts. Rest
in peace. Go, go, go Jeff!"
The family asked for privacy while it mourns.
Two Canadian soldiers killed and five injured in an
explosive device strike
CEFCOM NR–09.023 - September 6, 2009
OTTAWA– Two Canadian soldiers were killed
and five injured when an improvised explosive device detonated
near their armoured vehicle in the vicinity of Dand District,
approximately 14 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City at around
12:00 p.m., Kandahar time, on 6 September 2009.
Killed in action was Corporal Jean-François Drouin
from 5e Régiment du génie de combat serving as a
member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group
based in Valcartier, Quebec.
Killed in action was Major Yannick Pépin also from 5e Régiment
du génie de combat serving as a member of the 2nd Battalion,
Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group based in Valcartier, Quebec.
The injured members were evacuated by helicopter to the Role
3 Multi-National Medical Facility at the Kandahar Airfield and
are in good condition. The identities of the injured members
will not be released.
Our thoughts and condolences go to the family and friends of
our fallen comrades.
Canadian soldiers and their ANSF partners work together for
the greater good of Afghanistan. Security operations sometimes
require a heavy price to be paid, but the challenge we face
cannot deter us from our ultimate goal and commitment we have
toward Afghans.
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