06/14/2026
Today we remember and honour Corporal Martin Dubé, who was killed seventeen years ago today while proudly serving our country in Afghanistan.
On June 14th, 2009, Corporal Joseph Robert Martin Dubé, aged 35, a combat engineer from 5e Régiment de Génie de combat (5 Combat Engineer Regiment), based at CFB Valcartier, Québec, was killed by an improvised explosive device while conducting a dismounted security operation in the Panjwai district, around 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City.
Corporal Martin Dubé, a bomb disposal technician, was responding to a call to neutralise two improvised explosive devices which were found hidden in a culvert, and was killed when one of the bombs he was defusing detonated. An Afghan police officer was also killed in the explosion, and a local interpreter was severely injured. The interpreter was evacuated by helicopter to the multi-national medical facility at Kandahar Airfield for treatment. The blast went off at about 12:30 p.m. AFT.
Corporal Martin Dubé was a member of Joint Task Force Headquarters, and was serving his first tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Brigadier-General Jonathan Vance, commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan, held a news conference in Kandahar to discuss the death of Cpl. Martin Dubé.
Vance said Dubé had saved many lives with his work, "for that he should be remembered and celebrated."
"The bomb Dubé was dismantling could have killed an entire family as it was deliberately aimed at passing traffic," Vance said.
"His actions, his sacrifice, saved the lives of innocents. This is the proudest and most noble accomplishment of any soldier and today that accomplishment was Martin's."
Dubé was an "energetic" soldier who believed in the mission and "would never let himself get down when things got rough," Vance said.
"He was a skilled perfectionist who took the time to better himself, not only as a human being but also as a soldier. He was a professional, always willing to help anyone in need."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement on the death of Corporal Martin Dubé.
"We are eternally grateful for his sacrifice for this country, while helping to ensure a brighter future for the Afghan people. We are all saddened by this loss."
–Compiled by Mr. Sean Wilson.
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Corporal Martin Dubé joined the 5th Combat Engineers Regiment in April 2003. His first mission to Afghanistan was in March 2009 where he served as a bomb disposal technician. On June 14th, while on Operation Athena Roto 7 in the Panjwai district about 20 kms south of Kandahar, he responded to a call to neutralize two IEDs when one of them exploded, killing him and an Afghan police officer, while wounding one other Afghan national.
"In his desire to make a difference, he gave his life suddenly, without warning," Padre Bastien Leclerc told his comrades assembled at the Ramp Ceremony. "We will all miss his infectious smile, his determination, and his will to make this part of the world a better place to live."
Raised in the Québec City area, the 35-year-old soldier is remembered as a likable soldier with a special ability to lift the spirits of those around him. “Cpl. Dubé had a personal mission: live life to the fullest and make everyone he met laugh," said Padre Bastien Leclerc, Task Force Kandahar's senior chaplain, "He lifted the morale of everyone around him, including his superiors. His enthusiasm and energy was contagious."
Dubé was a talented combat engineer, proud of his profession, and whose work saved many lives. Dubé went to Afghanistan with a sincere desire to help others. He will be remembered as an energetic soldier with an infectious smile.
Dube's family praised his commitment to the Afghan mission. "He always strived to help others and that can explain why he firmly believed he was making a difference with the Afghan people alongside his fellow soldiers."
"We can't help but support and admire such altruism. There is no greater sadness for parents than to lose a child. Martin was an upright, curious and intelligent person who liked to get to the bottom of things," the family said, noting he was very close to his younger brother.
"Your departure leaves a great void.
Go, son, you can rest in peace now".
Joseph Robert Martin Dubé is survived by his parents Marie-Paule and Roger, brother Vincent and girlfriend Julie.
–©The Military Museums of Calgary, Alberta.
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Even from the earliest age, Martin was a protector and defender for what he believed in. In elementary school, when Martin saw a student being swarmed on the playground, he stepped in and took on the bullies to protect the student. But Martin was more about the intellect. When asked, he provided honest advice, even if his opinion was not popular, and he mediated disputes, offering a list of pros and cons to help resolve issues.
Martin had a desire to understand at the deepest level. He valued his solitude and reading was among his top passions. Many of his books held personal bookmarks that listed questions he still wanted answers to or topics he wanted to research. He was also big into video games, playing warfare games for hours to stimulate his mental development and to challenge himself intellectually.
When Martin joined the army, he continued to strive to improve his knowledge so he would be both a better soldier and better at his job.
Martin was skilled at martial arts and in excellent physical condition.
After high school, Martin undertook many activities, but nothing seemed to hold his interest or challenge him intellectually for any length of time. Then he joined the forces in order to make a difference. He believed in his mission and carried it out with pride.
Those in command viewed Martin as a professional, as someone who was always there to help and was always calm in difficult circumstances. He was motivated and serious, and determined to make a difference, but he also knew when to have a good time. His infectious smile and upbeat manner were catching.
–Written by Ms. Shari Narine ©Project Heroes.
🇨🇦 UBIQUE 🇨🇦
"Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities, because it is the quality that guarantees all others." –Winston Churchill
"Greater love hath no man than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." –John 15:13
🇨🇦 LEST WE FORGET 🇨🇦