Darlene Cushman and her daughter, Trooper Caswell's sister, Jolene, were part of a group of nine civilians, all next-of-kin to soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan who were part of a military trip to the war-torn country in April.

It was an opportunity to see where her son had eaten his meals, spent his quiet time, even where he etched his nickname, "Kaz," into wood on the military base there.

"Following in his footprints, wearing the military boots he insisted I buy -- I followed in his footsteps as far as I could," said an emotional Ms. Cushman. "I even stood outside the morgue. The Padre stood and said a prayer there with me."

Trooper Caswell had been a member of the Royal Canadian Dragoons since 2005. Last June, he was part of a Combat Logistics Patrol convoy, conducting a resupply mission for Canadian troops based at a base in Kahkrez when he was killed near Kandahar.

As she stood outside the morgue where her son was taken after the incident, "the padre, from his heart, comforted me by saying (her son) was taken care of gently there."

Ms. Caswell received a call in February, indicating she and Jolene would be able to go to Afghanistan.

"It was a wonderful but emotional experience," said Ms. Cushman, in Bowmanville last week to attend a street name dedication to honour her son. "To go to Afghanistan would be an experience. To go to Afghanistan as the mother of a fallen solider -- it was a roller coaster."

It wasn't easy for Jolene, either.

"She's still an honour roll student, but she's grieving because her brother was her everything," her mother said. "He was her best friend."

But it gave them both a chance to see the mission through her son's eyes.

"The biggest impression I was left with is that I really understand why the soldiers go back," Ms. Cushman said.

The Afghan children left a lasting mark with her, as they had with her son, she said.

"The mission is making a difference."

The pair also had a chance to meet with an Afghan leader who had lost both of his sons in the bloodshed. Though they could only communicate through a translator, there was a bond, Ms. Cushman said.

"All tears are the same, no matter what language you speak."

There have been an array of events in her son's honour since he was killed and Ms. Cushman said she's tried not to miss one. Though she now lives elsewhere in Ontario, she has been able to be on hand for events held here in his honour including the street dedication. She also plans to be here May 29, as the Bowmanville Cenotaph, being updated to include Trooper Caswell's name, is unveiled.

Trooper Caswell spent a lot of time in Bowmanville though he also made his home, for several years, in the Sarnia area, where he attended public school and part of high school. People all over the province are mourning her son, Ms. Cushman said.

"As Darryl's mother, I thank the families in Bowmanville who loved my son, encouraged him and guided him, opened their homes to them, while he continued and finished high school," she said.

She recalled her son as a loving boy who turned into a caring young man.

"He was easy to love and difficult to change his mind once it was set," she said. "He was a kind, caring boy and young man. He'd give you his last candy as a child and whatever he could as a man."