A New Zealand soldier was killed today in Bamiyan province, Afghanistan. He was Lieutenant Tim O’Donnell, aged 28. Two other New Zealand soldiers and an Afghan interpreter were also injured.
He is the first New Zealand soldier to die in Afghanistan. 109 New Zealand soldiers are in Bamiyan province helping to build hospitals, schools and roads. They are also helping to train Afghan police. The New Zealand soldiers are very popular with the people in Bamiyan province. However, three vehicles were travelling through a valley when they were attacked from the hills above them.
New Zealand also has 86 soldiers fighting in Kabul. These are SAS soldiers. Their work is usually much more dangerous. Listen to May 4th 2010 for more about our soldiers in Afghanistan.
NZ has had soldiers in Afghanistan since 2003. The Prime Minister said New Zealand will continue to send soldiers to Afghanistan for another year and maybe for longer. The soldiers serving in Bamiyan will return to New Zealand next month but more soldiers will replace them in October.
The death of Tim O’Donnell is a very sad day for his family, friends and all who knew him. He was a fine young man. In 2008, he received a medal for bravery when he saved the lives of other soldiers in East Timor. The army is planning a military funeral for him. The New Zealand flag was flying at half mast on Parliament buildings today. This shows that someone important has died.
Questions
1. Do you think New Zealand should continue to send soldiers to Afghanistan?
2. The soldiers in Bamiyan are helping to re-build the country. Why were they attacked?
3. The USA has lost more than 1200 soldiers in the war in Afghanistan. Why are we so sad about the death of one soldier?