From the "Grassroots News", 26 Sept, 2006 (p12): "The fifth annual BearClan Gathering heard a soldiertell others just what it’s like to serve in a war zone. PrincessPatricia’s Canadian Light Infantry soldierDoug Tizya stood before a dead silentcrowd and told his story."

Doug Tizya, who served with Tom Eschak in Afghanistan, has returned to Canada after being injured with shrapnel wounds to his wrist and lower legs. Both men are professional soldiers serving in the 2ndBattallion, Princess Patricia’s CanadianLight Infantry based in Shilo, Manitoba.

'...Tizya concedes conditions were difficult,including the intense heat, whichsometimes got as high as 40 degreesCelcius but the constant stress of suicidebombers was always there. “Thekey to dealing with it was the fact thatwe are there as a team. The guy besideyou is what gets you through thosetough times, you train together andbuild a bond with these guys,” said Tizya.“That’s who you look to when you are down.”'

The photo is Doug Tizya with Manitoba's Ltnt Gov John Harvard at the Bear Clan Gathering.