Prior to being deployed to Afghanistan, a fallen soldier from CFB Petawawa invited CTV Ottawa into his home to share his experience of building a family while dealing with the reality of war.
"It's unfortunate that I have to go over there and leave my family. But I would rather go over there and defend my country on their turf, not on ours," Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli told CTV Ottawa last September.
Vernelli's wife Cpl. Marcie Lane gave birth to their daughter Olivia just prior to his deployment.
Lane's doctor induced labour one week early and Vernelli said base officials did everything they could to deploy him at a later date, so he could meet his daughter before heading overseas.
"I couldn't imagine not being here for the birth," Vernelli said.
"Now that she's here, it's going to take every bit out of me to walk out that door."
On Friday, Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli, 28, was killed in an early morning blast while on foot patrol in the Zhari district west of Kandahar.
Cpl. Tyler Crooks, 24, and a local interpreter were also killed in the bombing. Five other soldiers were injured.
