Royal visit | Prince talks of sacrifices Canadians have made

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The Canadian Press

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ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Prince Charles said Monday that Canadians are serving with the "greatest possible distinction" in Afghanistan and that his heart goes out to the family of the latest soldier killed there.

Charles, speaking at a welcoming ceremony as he started an 11-day tour of the country with his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, said Canadians are remembered on famous First and Second World War battlefields, and for their peacekeeping efforts in places such as Sudan, Lebanon and the Middle East.

"These acts, these universal values, for which Canada stands up and is counted have echoed right across the 20th century and into the 21st," he added.

He said Canadians have brought "the light of freedom and justice to the darker corners of the world."

"I need hardly say, therefore," added Charles, "how much my heart goes out to the family of Pte. Steven Marshall, who was killed in action only last week and who will make his final journey home to Canada tomorrow, taking his place among those who have made the ultimate sacrifice."

Marshall, 24, was killed Friday when an improvised explosive device detonated southwest of Kandahar City.

The family of Marshall said he died doing what he loved.

The military in Edmonton, where he was based, issued a statement from Marshall's family Monday in which he was remembered as a "soldier's soldier."

The statement was issued before Prince Charles arrived in Canada.

The family said Marshall was excited about military life and had found his niche in the army.

"Steven was very excited about what the military had to offer," they said. "While he was training for his tour, he would talk endlessly about what he learned and he would eagerly say, 'I wonder what I will get to do next?'"

As a sapper, Marshall was on the front lines.