Soldier from Sask. First Nation killed in Afghanistan

A soldier from the Big River First Nation in Saskatchewan, who served with the US Army was killed in Afghanistan last weekend.

Corporal Darby Moon, 25 has fought with the US Army for four years according to his family. Coroporal Darby's remains will be flown to Philadelphia.

His body will be returned to the Big River First Nation for burial next week.

Big River is 140 km (85 miles) northeast of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

http://www.nowpublic.com/world/us-marines-helmand-river-valley

Big River soldier mourned

Darby Morin dies in Afghanistan crash during U.S. army tour:
By Joshua Page, Saskatchewan News Network; with SP files by Janet FrenchAugust 25, 2009 7:54 AM

A fallen soldier from the Big River First Nation will be remembered as a brave role model and loving father.

United States Army Sgt. Darby Morin, 25, died early Saturday when the driver of the vehicle he was travelling in lost control, causing a rollover near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, according to information provided to the Prince Albert Daily Herald.

Heavy fog blanketed the road at the time. Morin was wearing his seatbelt but was unconscious when military medics arrived on the scene.

Morin was the nephew of Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations vice-chief Lyle Whitefish.

Whitefish, reached by phone Monday, was in Delaware preparing for Morin's body to arrive back in the United States at Dover Air Force Base.

"You never think it would happen. Of course he was at risk every day, but a lot of young men and women come home. Unfortunately others don't, and he was one that didn't," he said.

Morin and his wife, Veronica, had two sons, Christian, 3, and Blue Sky, 19 months.

"He was a great father and he loved his wife and his children," said Whitefish. "He was very compassionate."

Morin's decision to enlist in the U.S. Army immediately after graduating from Big River First Nation High School came from an admiration for its advanced technology, his uncle said.

Morin spent four years stationed at Fort Eustis, Va., before being transferred to Fort Drum, N.Y, in April 2008.

In December, he was deployed to the Charkh district in Logar Province, Afghanistan.

"He wanted to be a role model; he wanted to show kids they could be much more than being in a gang or whatever," said Whitefish.

A family friend who has known Morin for at least a decade, but didn't want to give his name, said Morin's military service gave his community pride.

"That was definitely somebody that they were proud of," the friend said.

"When the news came, everybody was in shock. They couldn't believe it.

"It's still pretty tough to talk about."

The friend last chatted with Morin a couple of weeks ago through the social networking website Facebook. He logged on and found Morin online, looking to talk with someone from home.

"I did mention we were proud of him within the area," his friend said. "I also told him that we prayed for him."

The friend said this past weekend was particularly rough for the Big River First Nation, because Morin wasn't the only soldier the community lost. On Saturday, a 23-year-old man died in a rollover crash on the reserve. That man was a soldier in the Canadian Army, the source said.

Whether -- or when -- Morin's body would be brought back to Big River for burial was unclear Monday evening.

Whitefish said his nephew had a good sense of humour.

The nuclear, biological and chemical non-commissioner officer also served as the unofficial barber among the troops.

Whitefish remembered that when Morin visited Canada, young men would line up to get their hair cut just like his.

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