Volunteers compile book about Canadian troops who served in Afghanistan

Volunteers hope a book of personal stories and imagesthey've compiled from soldiers who served in Afghanistan will helpCanadians remember a conflict that some fear is already fading fromthe public eye.

"Afghanistan: A Canadian Story" also contains words submittedby police and civilians who served in places such as Kandahar, andthe reminiscences of a mother of a soldier who was killed in action.

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Melanie Graham, editor of the coffee-table book, said thepublication this month of the human stories will help people betterunderstand what it was like to serve in the bloody, unresolvedconflict and how it has affected the soldiers.

"There was no clean closure to the Afghan mission from theCanadian perspective, or from anyone's perspective," said Graham, aretired military public affairs officer.

"The popular sentiment is let's just not talk about it, becausewe are not really sure what we accomplished."

Net proceeds from the book, up to $150,000, are to be donated toorganizations that help soldiers and their families.

The cost of publishing 5,000 copies has been donated by the PowerWorkers' Union in Ontario. An ebook version is planned for thespring.

Graham said the book contains anecdotes of some 150 men and women-- in their own words -- who served in Afghanistan between 2001 and2014. It includes a list of all the Canadian soldiers and civilianswho died in the conflict.

'It is cathartic. It is insightful.'

She said the book will be cathartic for soldiers who feel theirefforts have been taken for granted or who are still dealing withtheir experiences overseas.

"Is their bitterness? Is their frustration? Yes. Is therestress? Is there anxiety? Yes. Look at the statistics forpost-traumatic stress disorder. It has taken its toll."

Graham expects many soldiers and former soldiers will buy it as akind of yearbook. Copies were given to the families of the 158Canadian troops and five civilians who died in the conflict.

She said having the book at home will help spark conversations orhelp family members and friends who leaf through it understand whatit was like to serve for months in an area where soldiers had to behyper-vigilant, not being able to tell friend from foe.

"It is very difficult for a lot of the folks who served to talkto their families about their experiences in Afghanistan, because if you weren't there, it is very difficult to grasp.

"It is cathartic. It is insightful. It is human."

On Sunday, Graham and her fellow volunteers are hosting a publiclaunch for the book at Edmonton Garrison, a sprawling military basethat is home to many of the units that were deployed to Afghanistan.

An estimated 40,000 Canadians served in Afghanistan at differenttimes over 14 years, she said.

"These are boots-on-the-ground stories, the human perspectivethat will give Canadians an insight into the very ordinary men and women who do extraordinary things on behalf of Canadians."