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With the transport horns honking in the background Peg Smith could hardly get the words out
why she came to the Ontario Street bridge in Cobourg to watch the procession carrying the
remains of Corporal Matthew McCully who was killed in Afghanistan on Monday night.
Corporal McCully was killed May 25, 2007, at approximately 8 a.m. Kandahar time by an
improvised explosive device, while conducting a joint Afghan-Canadian foot patrol close to the
village of Nalgham, approximately 35 km west of Kandahar City.
It’s the first time she’s come out to the overpass to watch the procession as it passes from CFB
Trenton to Toronto.
“I feel bad,” said an emotional Ms. Smith with her daughter Becky (age 12) standing beside her.
She said Cpl. McCully didn’t stand a chance with the improvised explosive device buried in the
sand.
Cobourg resident Peter O’Donnell said he has witnessed approximately 40 of the soldiers passing
through.
Wearing a red shirt with the word Canada on it and a Support the Troops hat he has a number of
reasons why he chooses to come.
“I’m a very strong military supporter and I also have a son who is currently in Afghanistan and I
have a daughter in the navy and I feel it’s my duty to be here to honour our fallen.”
“It’s to let the families know that we are behind their son, their daughter and that we mourn with
them.”
Although he comes each time to the overpass, because their son is serving in Afghanistan, his
wife can’t bring herself to come to the bridge.
“It’s devastating because I know what my wife and I go through on a daily basis. My wife will
not come here tonight, not because she lacks respect, but because she’s a wreck - it’s that
simple.”
Ms. Smith and her daughter were the first ones on the bridge on Monday night, there were many
others wearing red and carrying Canadian flags that came after. She said although it’s the first
time she has gone to the bridge, if another soldier falls in the line of duty, she and her daughter
will be at the bridge to show their support.