Ottawa musician Amanda Rheaume returns from emotional experience in Afghanistan
February 28th - March 8th the band and I travelled
to Afghanistan to perform for the troops. We travelled with Team Canada
which included NHL alumni - Lanny McDonald, Ron Tugnutt, Dave Williams,
Larry Patey, Neil Labatte, Mark Napier, Tony Currie, Colin Patterson,
Troy Crowder, Perry Berezan, Mark LaForest and Ed Staniowski. Also on
the trip were 80's sensation Glass Tiger.
The following photos and video are snippets from my incredible adventures
and experiences while overseas.
Visiting a war zone for ninedays was an absolute emotional rollercoaster...
I learned about Afhganistan as a nation, and it's history of war. I learned
more than I ever knew before about Canada's mission in Afghanistan. I
learned how the Taliban make explosives and how their main purpose in
life is to kill. I had a tour of the hospital and saw many things that
I would prefer to not see again, however they are all real. I performed
two seperate shows for a few thousand soldiers, from all over the world.
I attened the official ramp ceremony for Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond
Brown, Cpl. Dany Fortin and Cpl. Kenneth O'Quinn who were all killed by
a roadside bomb. I flew in a Hercules plane as well as a C17, enduring
a tactical take off AND landing. I sang the national anthem for the first
time in front of NHL Alumni Hockey Players and Canadian Military. I inhaled
a lot of dust.
In the following photos and videos you will see and hear things that you
may not have known before. I will also provide a written commentary where
needed!
Hope you enjoy my documentation of my trip! I am very grateful to have been invited and send out my love and respect to every Canadian soldier currently deployed in Afghanistan as well as their friends and families back home. Your strength inspires me.