More than 1,000 people gathered at a Winnipeg church Monday to say good-bye and thank you to a Canadian soldier killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.
Cpl. James Arnal was described as a hero -- adventurous and active. Inside the Grant Memorial Baptist Church there were tearful tributes and family members read dozens of letters from loved ones, friends, other military families and complete strangers. The letters offered condolences, support and above all, thanks.
"It's really hard to see someone like this go," said Mike McFarlane, who served with Arnal during his first tour of duty on Afghanistan.
"No matter where he went, he was always exploring," he said. "He went back for a second tour. He was gearing up for a third. He just loved travelling. Like everyone said in there, he just loved living life."
A group of woman who never met Arnal stood outside for the funeral procession, which wound its way through Winnipeg streets.
"He was a brave kid," said one woman.
"Heard about it on the news, read about it...felt is was our duty to come," said another.
In Kandahar over the weekend foreign affairs minister David Emerson renewed Canada's commitment to Afghanistan, indicating 200 new troops could be part of an expanded presence in the country.
But today wasn't about politics -- for McFarlane it was about remembering a soldier who died doing what he loved; serving his country.
"I think we need to do ceremonies like this so Canada does understand how important it is over there -- how important soldiers are," he said.
With a report from CTV's Joe Olafson.
