How Canada’s military and first responders supported the U.S. months and years after 9/11
Canada was among the NATO nations that joined a global fight against terrorism after the attacks in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001.
In the aftermath of the devastating 9/11 attacks on the United States in 2001, Canada's military and first responders played a crucial role in supporting their allies. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives when hijackers commandeered four aircraft, crashing them into iconic landmarks such as the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania.
In response, Canada's ambassador to NATO called for the alliance to invoke Article Five, the clause that states an attack on one member nation is an attack on all. Canada responded by sending its forces to Afghanistan to join the war against the Taliban regime that had harbored the terrorist group responsible for 9/11.
Canadian Armed Forces special forces personnel arrived in Afghanistan in December 2001, marking the start of a 13-year-long military presence. By the time Canada withdrew in 2014, over 40,000 soldiers had taken part in the operation, making it the longest deployment in Canadian history and the largest since World War II. Alongside the service members, 158 Canadian soldiers lost their lives during their time in Afghanistan.
One such soldier was Private Demetrios Diplaros, a 24-year-old former Scarborough resident who died while serving his country. His father, Anargyros "Jerry" Diplaros, recalled the pride he felt when Demetrios wore his uniform and expressed his love for his family before being deployed. Despite the emotional weight of losing a son, Jerry emphasized the importance of the support Canada received from its citizens during this difficult time.
The Diplaros family remains united in their grief and appreciation for the sacrifices made by Canadian Armed Forces personnel stationed in Afghanistan.
Canada's military support extended to fire departments as well. In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, Toronto Professional Fire Fighters' Association President Jim Lee reached out to his counterparts in New York City, recognizing the immense labor required to search for survivors and extinguish fires at the World Trade Center site.
Initially, Lee believed that Canadian emergency personnel would not be needed due to logistical concerns. However, many firefighters still volunteered to aid their American counterparts. Recognizing the significant contributions of Canadian firefighters, Lee shifted his focus to fundraising efforts for orphans affected by the attacks.
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