Background

Canada’s military mission in Afghanistan came at a significant cost: 158 Canadian Armed Forces personnel, a Canadian diplomat, a Department of National Defence contractor, a Canadian journalist who was embedded with the Canadian Armed Forces, 42 United States armed forces members and one civilian contractor who were under Canadian command were killed during the conflict.

The Kandahar Cenotaph was built by military members serving in Afghanistan to honour the memory of the military members and civilians who died during Canada’s mission in Afghanistan. The Kandahar Cenotaph was transported to Canada at the end of Canada’s mission in March 2011. The Kandahar Cenotaph is now located in a purpose-built pavilion at National Defence Headquarters (Carling) in Ottawa.

Official ceremonies were held on May 13, 2019 and August 17, 2019 to open the Afghanistan Memorial Hall and rededicate the Kandahar Cenotaph, respectively. Families of the Fallen, Veterans and their families, Canadian Armed Forces members and Department of National Defence employees, and members of the public are invited to visit the Afghanistan Memorial Hall and pay their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.