Flat, dusty terrain, a lone brick building with wooden windows and wadis – low-lying channels where water can collect in Afghanistan’s agricultural regions – have transformed part of CFB Wainwright into Afghanistan.
The military base is serving as the backdrop for Historica Canada’s newest Heritage Minute, honouring Capt. Jonathan Snyder and the men and women who served in Afghanistan.
Snyder served in the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, and took part in three overseas deployments, including two in Afghanistan.
Historica Canada spent two days filming the one-minute production at CFB Wainwright, about 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.
The Heritage Minute, set to be released just before Remembrance Day, tells the story of Snyder’s actions during a 2008 Taliban ambush in Afghanistan, where he is credited with saving the lives of 90 to 100 Canadian and Afghan soldiers.
“It’s first of all intended to be a tribute to all of the Canadians, the 40,000 Canadians who served in the Afghanistan campaign over four or five years, particularly the 158 who never came home,” said Anthony Wilson-Smith, president and CEO of Historica Canada.
Wilson-Smith said they chose to tell Snyder’s story because of the leadership, humanity and courage he showed during his second deployment, in which he was tasked with mentoring young Afghan troops.
He said that Snyder learned to speak Pashto, adopted some puppies and worked to build relationships with the communities he was in.
The scene takes place during an ambush, where Snyder and his team were caught in what Wilson-Smith described as a “U-shaped ambush.”
“You suddenly, in other words, you go into a situation, you think you’re fine, and all of a sudden you’re under fire from both sides and directly in front of you,” said Wilson-Smith.
Director Anita Ayres said there was no quick reaction force available, leaving the soldiers on their own to find a way out.
“They were ambushed by an overwhelming force, and also the guys they had were green,” said Ayres.
“They just thought they’re going out on a march, and so this came as a massive surprise to everybody.”
Ayres said Snyder was able to rally the troops, return fire and get the soldiers out of the area.
Three days after the ambush, Snyder died on June 7, 2008, while on a night patrol.
He slipped into an unmarked irrigation well while wearing about 36 kilograms of equipment. Wilson-Smith said Snyder managed to get the gear off, while others tried to save him, but he ultimately drowned.
To recreate the ambush scene, Historica Canada worked closely with the Canadian Armed Forces and people who served in Afghanistan, including those who served alongside Snyder, to ensure the details reflected what happened.
Wilson-Smith said the collaboration helped bring authenticity to everything from uniforms and equipment to the way Snyder and his fellow soldiers would have operated.
“The goal is for people who knew him to say, ‘Yeah, that’s the guy I knew. That’s him,’” he said.
Actor Marshall Williams, who plays Snyder, said portraying a real person brought added responsibility.
“I’m just trying to do the best job that I can and give an honest portrayal of who Jon was,” said Williams.
“There’s a lot of pressure that goes in with that, and trying to make that just and honest.”
Williams spoke with friends of Snyder’s to learn more about his personality and relationships.
Another actor, Duff Zayonce, who plays Master Cpl. Donovan Ball, said he had researched Ball, but the people who served in Afghanistan on set really helped put it all together.
“I think it’s humbling for me, anyways, to know that this is just pretend for us,” he said.
“But to just try and honor it as best we can, and make it a tribute to the men and women that serve is what we’re trying to do.”
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Wilson-Smith said the goal of Heritage Minutes is to tell stories about the people and events that helped shape Canada.
“These are stories that not only should be told, they need to be told,” he said.
