In 2014, Company Canada released its LAV III memorial program. At its conclusion, 33 communities across Canada now host retired LAV IIIs as monuments to the Canadian men and women who fought in Afghanistan. But what is a LAV III and why has it become a symbol of Canadian participation in this war?

The LAV III was one of the Canadian Army’s most widely used light vehicles during its mission in Afghanistan (2002-2019). Supporting Canadian infantry during patrols, the LAV III could be used as a command and communications post, and to transport troops. This activity will allow students to understand the role LAVs have played in Afghanistan and, their role in the communities that honour the men and women who served in them in Canada. Thus, this activity contains four different parts, all of which are optional and can be used independently of one another: a text analysis, a historical thinking exercise, the creation of a timeline and the writing of a reflective text.

This activity was designed to accompany our Remembering Afghanistan exhibit. The exhibition is also available for free to your school by completing our reservation form.

Contents of the activity

Students will use the student guide to complete the various sections of the activity – as selected by the teacher. As mentioned above, the activity is divided into four independent sections dealing with the history and use of LAV III:

• In-class Introduction: What is a monument? In this section, students answer a series of short questions based on the analysis of different texts about the Canadian mission in Afghanistan.
• Then & Now: What’s changed? Military technology has changed dramatically since the First World War! Students will point out the similarities and differences between a First World War Canadian armoured vehicle and a LAV III after reading a descriptive text and studying photos of both.
• Workhorse Monument Timeline. Using the answers from the first section (or using the suggested texts from this one) and doing an original research on one of the installed LAV III monuments, students will construct a timeline tracing the vehicle’s use in missions through to its use in commemorations.
• Reflection Question. In this section, students choose two questions from our selection and are asked to produce a reflective text answering them on the use of LAV IIIs, Canadian involvement in Afghanistan and commemorations.
• Questions de réflexion. In this section, students choose two questions from our selection and are asked to produce a reflective text answering them on the use of LAV IIIs, on the Canadian involvement in Afghanistan and on its commemorations.

The teacher’s guide includes an answer key for all activities.

Activity objectives

The aim of this educational activity is to give Cycle 2 students a better understanding of Canada’s role in the Afghan War. In keeping with the Quebec Education Program, this activity develops knowledge related to International relations and the Canadian army missions abroad.

This activity also develops students’ knowledge of Quebec and Canadian history through the competencies promoted by the Quebec Education Program:

• Characterizes a period in the history of Quebec and Canada
• Interprets a social phenomenon

This activity is also adapted to the Contemporary World course, fitting in with the Tensions and Conflicts theme and promoting the following skills:

• Interprets a contemporary world problem
• Takes a position on a contemporary world issue

Activities you might also like

Canadians Remembered: Profile of a Canadian Soldier

The Battle of Hong Kong was Canada’s very first involvement in the Second World War. A total of 1 973 men and 2 nursing sisters arrived in the British colony of Hong Kong in November 1941 and valiantly defended it until its surrender on December 25, 1941. In this activity students will create a profile of a soldier or a nurse and outline their experiences in the army, in Hong Kong, as prisoners of war and after their return to Canada.

Timeline: Understanding the October Crisis

The October Crisis is one of the most significant events in modern Quebec! From the FLQ’s first actions to the declaration of the War Measures Act, a lot happened in a short amount of time. In this activity, students will have to place in order the various events associated with the October Crisis, and associate an original archival photo or video with each one.

Canadians in Afghanistan

What did Canada exactly do in Afghanistan? Running from 2002 to 2019, Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan is one of its most important in its history… but also one of the least known. In this activity, students answer a series of questions and definitions, and watch various testimonials from military personnel sent to Afghanistan. By filling in the questionnaires and discussing together in class, students can reflect and exchange views on this significant episode in recent Canadian history.