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OTTAWA (CP) - Capt. Nichola Kathleen Sarah Goddard, Canada's first female soldier killed in Afghanistan, was buried Wednesday with the full rituals of the military.
Eight soldiers from her regiment, the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, carried her to the grave in the National Military Cemetery at the slow march, timed by the beat of muffled drums. A 40-member guard marched with them between twin flagpoles where the Maple Leaf and the Canadian Forces flag snapped in the breeze at half-mast. The soldiers carried her past a 24-tonne granite memorial which overlooks the long slope of the cemetery.
It carries the dedication: "To the men and women of Canada's armed forces who have served their country with distinction in war and peace."
The coffin containing Goddard's ashes was wrapped in the flag, her beret, a sword and her medals resting on top.
Capt. Dennis Newhook, chaplain of the 3rd battalion, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, read the simple words of the Anglican burial service:
"I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write. From henceforth blessed are the dead which die in the Lord."
Goddard's family - husband Jason Beam, parents Tim and Sally Goddard and her sisters, Kate and Victoria - were at the graveside.
Vice-Admiral Ron Buck, the vice-chief of the defence staff, represented the Forces. Jim Prentice, the minister of Indian Affairs, also attended.
About 100 people, mostly military with a scattering of civilians, looked on as the military ceremony ran its course under a hot spring sun.
A piper from the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa skirled the lament, its notes occasionally whipped away on the warm breeze.
A bugler from the Governor General's Foot Guards sounded the last post. After a minute of silence, he blew the crisp, sharp call of reveille.
Three volleys of shots cracked out from the firing party.
As the short, solemn service came to an end, the pallbearers carefully folded the Maple Leaf flag from the coffin. It was presented to Beam.
Goddard was buried in the shadow of a simple, grey headstone, engraved with the crest of her regiment and bearing her name, serial number, rank and dates of birth and death.
She lies amid lines of similar stones, just down the row from the grave of Cpl. Robbie Beerenfenger, who was killed by a landmine in Afghanistan in October 2003.
Goddard was killed May 17, when the armoured vehicle she was riding in was hit during a firefight.
She was acting as a forward observation officer at the time, charged with calling down artillery support for her comrades.
Her funeral was held at her home church in Calgary on May 26.
© The Canadian Press, 2006
