"CANADIAN FIGHTING SPIRIT" is the name of the latest carving placed on First Street by local woodcarver Murray Berger and is dedicated to Canadian Forces troops. Local war hero, home from Afghanistan, MCpl Dwayne Orvis was pleased to be included in the dedication, Monday. Photo/LAVINIA KERR Orangeville woodcarver Murray Berger dedicated his latest tree carving this week to Canadian soldiers fighting the war against terrorism and those who have lost their lives, because he wanted to honour the men and women in uniform.

The three-dimensional carving, representing the balance of nature, holds a plaque indicating the commemoration.

Mayor Drew Brown, Mr. Berger and Shelburne's Master Corporal Dwayne Orvis, home from Afghanistan recuperating from injuries sustained there, came together on Monday to mark the dedication.

"I began this carving on the Founders Day weekend," said Mr. Berger. "I wanted it to represent the Canadian fighting spirit."

Mayor Brown said the tree carvings in town were a way of honouring the tree at the end of its life cycle and Mr. Berger has taken that honour one f u r t h e r step.

"It's nice that it's a local carver who came up with the m o s t poignant carving to date that recognizes the men and women in the military, on the front line ... in extending democracy and human rights," said Mayor Brown.

Mr. Berger was impressed with the support for the troops he witnessed when he recently travelled

to the United States to represent Canada in a chainsaw carving demonstration, an event supporting their troops.

"It was intended for the American troops but I was invited as a Canadian and was supp o r t i n g o u r t r o o p s , " Mr. Berger said.

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Orvis was

happy to be included in the dedication ceremony on Monday. He was flown back to Canada from Afghanistan the week before Thanksgiving, after being injured in a suicide bombing attack that killed four soldiers and injured 10. He is filling his days with physiotherapy appointments to regain some function in his right arm, which was shattered, and he doesn't expect to return to duty for a couple of months.

"I am taking opportunities to talk about the troops in Afghan, so the public will know the good work we are doing over there."

Orvis is proud of his unit, 2 Combat Engineering Regiment (2CER), based in Petawawa and their continued presence in Afghanistan. He believes they are making a difference rebuilding schools and other community buildings. "We are needed there, it's important for Canada to know that," he said.

It's difficult for the soldier to be returned home, leaving his unit and not knowing whether he will be able to continue as a soldier. He is taking it one day at a time and says the doctors are hopeful he will regain most of his functionality in his right arm.

"Right now they're saying about 95 per cent and that will be good."

To send a message of support to the Canadian troops, visit the Department of Defense website - www.forces.gc.ca/site/community/ messageboard.