Taking a short break from my Twitter holiday to repeat what I have said many, many times. That every US official I dealt with while I was in government, no matter the level or the partisan stripe, went far out of their way to praise Canada's commitment in Afghanistan.

Of course, we were not there as a 'favour' to the United States or anyone else, but as part of a bipartisan recognition that Canadians were the victims of international terrorism on 9/11 and other occasions. Everyone involved understood that.

And I am not aware of anyone ever asking for anything 'in exchange' for that commitment. Equally, everyone involved understood that allies stick together for their mutual benefit.

The thousands and thousands of Canadian families who supported loved ones who deployed are always on our minds and in our prayers. Particularly the ones who suffered for it, and particularly today.