Final salute To A Fallen Soldier Bill Turner APTS Athleate Like the man so many came to remember Sunday afternoon, John Peckford never leaves anyone behind. On Sunday afternoon, the Canada Post Letter Carrier made sure the 60 men and women cycling in memory of his friend Lieut. Bill Turner, got through a tribute cycle ride as one group. "I am always the last, Peckford, a former Navyman said as he prepared to ride his motorcycle behind all the bicycles. An LAV 3 tank headed up the procesion along the streets of Oliver and westmount, between Custom Fit Personal Training at 11807- 105 Ave. and St.Andrew's Centre at 12720 - 111 Ave. "I think it is just a little fitting" Peckford said, indicating the parade of Turners life loves. "He was dedicated to what ever he did. I don't think there was anything that was half-measure with Bill." Turner, 45, was one of the four soldiers killed in Afghanistan, April 22, 2006 when a roadside bomb struck a military convoy near the village of Gombad, north of Kandahar. Cpl. Randy Payne of CFB Wainwright, CPL. Matthew Dinning of Richmond Hill, Ont. and Bombardier Myles Mansell of Victoria, BC., also died in the attack. Turner was a Canada Post emloyee who, as a military reservist, was assigned the role of Civilian Military Cooperation officer. On Sunday Afternoon, his sister Toya hosted a private memorial ceremony at St. Andrew's Centre. She requested the media not enter the service, which was attended by about 180 people, including cyclists in bright spandex, fatigues-clad soldiers and family and friends. Retired soldier Tom Keogh rode his bike in tribute to his friend." We talked often about his upcoming tour in the military and Afghanistan." he said "His personality fit well...Rarely did he leave any body behind." Keogh compared Turner's excitement and anxiety about serving in Afganistan to his dedication to biking. "Sort of like getting into the first bike race, the unknown." Trish Audette Journal Staff Writer You may not have personally known BILL, but please take a moment tomorrow to remember what this APTS Athleate did for Canada.

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