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http://www.cb-cda.gc.ca/info/act-e.html#rid-33409Honourable farewellJim Kelly, Chronicle-Journal, 11 Oct 06
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http://milnewstbay.pbwiki.com/15951Pte. Joshua James (Josh) Klukie will be remembered as a loving and devoted son, a loyal and caring friend, and a dedicated soldier whose love for his country was only exceeded by his love for his family.
Klukie, 23, of Shuniah, was killed while serving his country in Afghanistan on Sept. 29.
Tributes at his funeral Tuesday described a young man who had a passion for life and playing sports particularly basketball at Hillcrest High School.
His jersey and team shirt were presented to his family during the service at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church which was classified as private and therefore closed to the media.
As a youngster growing up in the Mackenzie community, Klukie had many television and movie heroes, but the big hero in his life was his father Reg who died in 1999.
“His dad could no longer watch him play basketball which was a passion for him,” his brother David told the huge gathering who came to pay their respects to the fallen soldier who so loved the military that he planned to be a career soldier.
“He loved his uniform and he wore it proudly,” his brother said.
But tragedy intervened.
“It’s a very sad occasion,” said Colin Sobkowich who attended McKenzie School and Hillcrest High School with Klukie.
“He was very into sports and easy to get along with,” said Sobkowich, who is a year younger than Klukie.
Olga Gramiak was also part of the crowd that gathered on a chilly, windswept day near city hall to watch and hear the solemn memorial service which was broadcast by speakers outside the church.
“I came to pay my respects to a fallen soldier who served his country,” she said.
Klukie’s friend Keith Raine described him as “charming, charismatic and a friend for life.”
One woman said the service was a “very, very honourable” way to recognize Klukie’s sacrifice.
“It preserved the true feeling of what he was all about,” she said.
Klukie graduated from the paramedic program at Confederation College.
“As a college we hope we have a role in preparing young people for service to their country,” said Brian Campbell, college director of resource development.
“Josh was the best example of that.”
Klukie served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Bravo Company, 4th Platoon, stationed at CFB Petawawa.
Soldiers from the RCR formed a 20-man escort on Brodie Street outside the church entrance and a 13-man honour guard was positioned nearby.
A 10-man burial party led by Sgt. Mike Marten of the RCR brought the urn carrying Klukie’s cremains into the church accompanied by a lone piper.
Members of the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment, 18 Field Ambulance, 18 Thunder Bay Service Battalion, Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre, OPP, RCMP and Thunder Bay Police were present.
Also paying his respects was Brig.-Gen. M. Skidmore, commander of the Land Force Western Area.
Liberal MPs Joe Comuzzi (Thunder Bay-Superior North) and Ken Boshcoff (Thunder Bay-Rainy River) and MPPs Michael Gravelle (Thunder Bay-Superior North) and Bill Mauro (Thunder Bay-Atikokan) attended, as did Mayor Lynn Peterson.
The Klukie family, like others who have children in battle zones around the world, were understandably worried about the danger posed by the enemy.
“It’s difficult for loved ones to live with the worry,” his brother David said.
He said the family could not have coped with the enormity of their loss without the support of so many people.
The praise for Klukie showed that he will be remembered by his friends for his determination and his sense of humour, and by his superiors for the respect and professionalism he exhibited.
But mostly, he will be remembered by his loving family.
In what was the most heart-wrenching moment of the service, David read his mother Carol’s words to her late son:
“To my precious son, you did good. We are so very proud of you.”
