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Two of four soldiers lost Friday were from Northern Ontario

Canada suffered heavy casualties Friday when four soldiers killed and eight injured in two IED strikes. Two of the four soldiers were from Northern Ontario; Master Corporal Scott Francis Vernelli of Sault Ste.
Canada suffered heavy casualties Friday when four soldiers killed and eight injured in two IED strikes. Two of the four soldiers were from Northern Ontario; Master Corporal Scott Francis Vernelli of Sault Ste. Marie and Trooper Jack Bouthillier of Hearst.

Bouthillier, whose nickname is ‘Boots’ was halfway through his two-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.

“It's still a shock,” his father Raynald told The Globe and Mail. "We always knew Jack was having a high-risk job like that. That's what he wanted to do in life.”

Bouthillier and Vernelli died in separate improvised explosive device strikes Friday.

The Globe and Mail says Vernelli is being remembered for ‘his goaltending skills, his sarcastic sense of humour, his perfectly coiffed hair and his belief in the Afghanistan mission.’

“Scotty held ultimate pride in lacing up his combat boots every morning. He believed in the mission in Afghanistan and volunteered for this, his third tour in Afghanistan,” said his family in a written statement.

“He had great talent in the kitchen, too, and often cooked up some Italian dishes. Of course, the freezer was stocked with ice cream, too."

More details contained in the Department of National Defence news release.

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OTTAWA - Four Canadian soldiers were killed and eight were injured in two separate IED incidents in Kandahar province.

At approximately 6:45 a.m., Kandahar time, March 20, two Canadian soldiers were killed and five others were injured when an improvised explosive device detonated in the vicinity of a dismounted patrol in Zhari District, west of Kandahar City.

At approximately 8:45 a.m., Kandahar time, March 20, two more Canadian soldiers were killed and three others were injured when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Shah Wali Khot district, north-east of Kandahar city.

In the first IED incident, killed in action was Master Corporal Scott Francis Vernelli, from November Company, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group. Master Corporal Vernelli is a member of the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.

Also in the first IED incident, killed in action was Corporal Tyler Crooks, from November Company, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group. Corporal Tyler Crooks is a member of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.

In the second IED attack, killed in action was Trooper Jack Bouthillier, from the Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group.

Trooper Bouthillier is a member of The Royal Canadian Dragoons based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.

Also in the second IED attack, killed in action was Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes from the Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group. Trooper Hayes is a member of The Royal Canadian Dragoons based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.

The injured soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to the Role 3 Multi-National Medical Facility at Kandahar Airfield.

They are all reported to be in good condition, and their names will not be released.

All members of Task Force Kandahar are thinking of the family and friends of our fallen comrades during this sad time.

We will not forget their sacrifice as we continue to bring security and hope to the people of Kandahar Province.

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