Executive Council
August 30, 2010Premier
Expresses Condolences to Family of Corporal Brian Pinksen
The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland
and Labrador, said, "Words cannot express the profound grief of
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians as we learned of the death of Corporal
Brian Pinksen of Corner Brook, who succumbed to injuries he sustained
while serving his country in Afghanistan."
With his family by his side, Corporal Pinksen passed
away on Monday at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. He had
been moved to Germany after sustaining severe injuries in Afghanistan on
August 22 when an improvised explosive device detonated during a routine
patrol in the Panjwa'i District, southwest of Kandahar City. A member of
the Corner Brook-based 2nd Battalion, The Royal Newfoundland Regiment,
Corporal Pinksen was serving in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion, The
Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group.
"Corporal Pinksen was only 21, just starting out on
his life's journey; yet even in the short time he was with us, he has
left a powerful legacy of service that has impacted people across Canada
and halfway around the world," said Premier Williams. "Corporal Pinksen
was serving with his whole heart because he loved what he was doing and
was absolutely convinced he was making a real difference — and indeed he
was. How humbled we are by the inspiring example he has set and the
enormous sacrifice he has made to bring freedom to strangers and
security to the people of our own country."
"My heart goes out to Corporal Pinksen's family, his
fellow soldiers and his many friends, and I assure them that the
thoughts and prayers of hundreds of thousands of Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians are embracing all of them at this time of terrible sorrow.
Brian was a true hero, and he will never be forgotten," said Premier
Williams.
Flags at Confederation Building are being flown at
half staff to honour Corporal Pinksen.
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