Slain soldier devoted to duty: parents

Despite losing their son in Afghanistan, the parents of Cpl. Christopher Jonathan Reid are urging Canadians to support the troops.

Reid, 34, from Truro, N.S.,was killed when his armoured vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb near Kandahar early Thursday.

Angela and Tom Reid got the devastating news at 4 a.m., when military officials knocked on theirdoor.

Surrounded by family and friends, they read a brief statement to reporters Thursday afternoon, describing their son as a devoted soldier who lived life to the fullest.

Angela Reid expected her son home in a few weeks. Shespoketo himon Wednesday and said her final words were "continue to be on high alert."

She said he supported Canada's decision to stay in Afghanistan and loved the LAV III, the vehicle he was riding in when he died.

"Please support our troops" was her closing message to reporters.

Premier Rodney MacDonald offered his condolences to the Reid family, sayingNova Scotians were proud of the slain soldier's service to Canada.

To honour Reid, the premier has ordered flags at Province House and the provincial buildings in Truro to be lowered to half-mast.

Reid, serving with the 1st Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in Edmonton, was airlifted to the medical base at Kandahar airfield, where he was pronounced dead.

Another Canadian soldier was wounded in the early morning attack, but suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Reid died on one of the deadliest days for Canada so far in the military campaign in Afghanistan.

Three Canadian soldiers were also killed Thursday when they were attacked by Taliban militants with rocket-propelled grenades.

In total, 10 soldiers were injured in various attacks Thursday.

Canada began sending soldiers to Afghanistan in 2002. Since then, 23 soldiers have died. Besides Reid, five had ties to Nova Scotia:

• May 17, 2006 Capt. Nichola Goddard, attended high school in Antigonish.
• March 2, 2006 Cpl. Paul Davis, grew up in Bridgewater and Lower Sackville.
• Nov. 24, 2005 Pte. Braun Scott Woodfield, 24, Eastern Passage.
• April 18, 2002 Pte. Richard Green, Mill Cove, killed by American bomb.
• April 18, 2002Pte. Nathan Smith, Porter's Lake, killed by American bomb.