Calgary reporter among five killed in Afghanistan

Photo from Facebook

As I sit here safely in my home in the Pacific Northwest, I'm saddened by the news that among the five Canadians killed in Afghanistan, one was a reporter for the Calgary Herald.

As a journalist for the past 20 years, I have yet to put myself in harm's way on the job. To know that Michelle Lang's life was snuffed out at such an early age is heart wrenching, indeed. Here's an excerpt from the CBC News:

Lang, who was 34, grew up in Vancouver and was a well-respected health reporter for the Herald, winning a National Newspaper Award in 2008 for best beat reporting. She had also worked in Regina and Moose Jaw.

Michelle Lang died in Afghanistan along with four Canadian soldiers. Here's a blog she posted on Dec. 29, 2009 -- the day before she and the soldiers were killed.