Remembering Master Cpl. Byron Greff - CTV Edmonton (Nov. 7, 2011)

The family of the first soldier killed in Afghanistan since the combat mission ended earlier this year has released a statement, shedding light on the man they lost.

The immediate and extended family of Master Corporal Byron Greff released a statement Monday, and called Greff an amazing person, father and husband -- and stressed how proud they are of the young man.

Part of the statement reads as follows. "We are all so proud of Byron; proud of him as a father, son, brother, uncle grandson and soldier,

"Our family is not a military one so it was a shock to us when he decided to join the Canadian Army,

"Byron, in his younger years, was probably as far from being a military man as one could get, but we supported him and were all very happy that he had found his way to this new life, and excelled at it."

The statement also described Greff as active, and a fan of hockey, who enjoyed not only watching games but playing -- and teaching his young son the 'finer points of the game'.

Master Corporal Byron Greff served with the Third Battalion of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, and had just returned to serve in Afghanistan, when a suicide bomber struck the NATO vehicle Greff was inside on Saturday.

MCpl. Greff was serving in Afghanistan as an adviser to the Afghan National Army trainers, who train Afghan soldiers.

The Taliban have taken responsibility for the attack, which killed in total 17 people.

Master Corporal Byron Greff was repatriated on Tuesday, November 1 at CFB Trenton, Ontario.

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