Master Corporal Sean Summerfield used three simple words to sum up his activity since arriving home on Nov. 27 after a seven month tour in Afghanistan.
“Enjoying my freedom,” he said with a smile, in between handshakes, hugs and conversations at an open house in his honour at the Fergus Legion on Jan. 22.
Dozens of relatives, friends, acquaintances and Legion officials attended the event to welcome and thank the 22-year-old Fergus resident, who has been a reservist in the Army for five years.
From April to November Summerfield was stationed in Kandahar, with the Lorne Scots Regiment, where his platoon served as convoy security for various operations. He explained he was mounted on light armoured vehicles (LAV) and would have to dismount to look for mines or possible improvised explosive devices (IED).
He became very close to those in his platoon, many of whom became like second family members, he told the Advertiser.
“You live together and work together every single day,” he said.
Like many soldiers, and countless veterans before him, Summerfield was candid yet humble, shying away from certain details about his tour in Afghanistan.
But as his mother Claudette pointed out, he was stationed in a very hostile area, during a very intense period of combat. Eleven Canadian soldiers died in Afghanistan during his tour, almost all of them near the city of Kandahar.
“I think every soldier who ever serves in Afghanistan should be thanked,” Claudette said. “Each and every one of them has done a service for us.” As a mother, she was overjoyed when her son returned safely in November.
“He’s got 10 fingers and 10 toes,” she said with a smile.
Legion Branch President Ray Pearse said given all the sad News that has come out of the war in Afghanistan, it’s great to celebrate the safe return of Summerfield.
“The Legion is always supportive of all military personnel … but when you see a local boy who went to Afghanistan come home safely, it brings joy to your heart,” Pearse said.
“We’re so proud of Sean – and so thankful.”
Summerfield is on leave until Feb. 15, when he will return to his duties as a reservist. He hopes to attend university this fall to study international relations or history, perhaps at Carleton or the University of Toronto.
Until then he plans on enjoying some well-deserved time off with family and friends, as he had the fortune to do over the holidays.
“Everybody’s been great,” he said. “There’s been a really positive reaction.”
