Bolton man spent Canada Day serving in Kandahar
By Bill Rea

Canada day is a good time to reflect on the many sacrifices made over the years to help create what Canada has become, as well as reflecting that those sacrifices continue in the interest of improving things for others.

Major Charles Jansen, a 14-year-resident of Bolton, is one of those working to make a difference.

In an interview conducted Monday from his posting in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Jansen said he is about two and a half months into his 10-month mission there. He is normally a staff officer at Land Forces Central Area Headquarters in Toronto, until his deployment.

He is currently in charge of logistics in Kandahar, making sure the Canadian personnel over there are adequately supplied with fuel, ammunition, food, equipment, etc., "so soldiers who do the battle have everything they need to carry on."

Jansen said people who might yearn for warm days during the winter would get their fill this time of year in Afghanistan. The temperatures hot there, in the range of in the high 50s. "Very much desert conditions," he said.

While he's been able to get around Kandahar a bit in his time there, Jansen said he has not yet seen any combat action, and he couldn't say if that's likely to change.

"One thing we learn about life here is one never knows," he observed. "We're always in a danger zone. You're always, constantly aware of the danger."

Despite that, Jansen said he doesn't worry too much, as he expressed confidence in the people with whom he's serving. "We've got a lot of good people around us," he said.

Jansen also said he hasn't had a lot of contact with the Afghan people, but he's been impressed with those he has met.

"Very honest, very upfront, very eager to work and improve the life in their country," he said.

He added most of the people he's encountered have been very appreciative of the international efforts being made to help their country.

"They know what life was like here before," he said. "They appreciate the work we're doing to make life better for them."

The 49-year-old father of two said he's able to keep in touch with his wife Joanne, daughter Gabrielle, 11, and son Mitchell, 9. "We e-mail every night," he said, and there are also weekend phone calls.

He said those calls basically deal with "all those little things that you take for granted."

He's due to return home in March 2009.

Is Canada's presence in Afghanistan contributing? Jansen believes it is, although he said progress at times appears to be slow.

"Sometimes it seems like baby steps," he remarked.

They are working with the national army in Afghanistan, and there are definite signs of improvement in their professionalism.

He said they are making progress.