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Topic: Afghanistan - 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment - 2006-2007 (Read 15518 times)
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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Common sense and Canadian decency prevails....
Common sense - and protective laws for the disabled - prevail to keep a wounded Canadian hero with his beloved wheels
By Joe Warmington
Master Cpl. Jody Mitic is getting to keep his parking spot after all.
The war hero, who lost his legs serving his country in Afghanistan, was about to lose the space for his donated custom-made motorcycle because of the soulless rules of the management of his condo at Yonge and Sheppard.
But thanks to some sober second thought by the condo administration and the laws of the land this proud Canadian fought to preserve, Mitic gets to keep the spot for his prized ride.
"We have a legal obligation to the handicapped," said John Oakes, president of Brookfield Residential Services.
In other words, thanks to human rights standards in Canada, the disabled must be considered.
It's not every day a disabled person has a motorcycle, but this was a unique situation that needed unique discretion and thoughtful decision-making. That will happen now and Mitic's motorcycle will not be towed after all. "We'll just put a piece of plywood down on the cement so the kickstand doesn't create a hole," said Oakes, who said Mitic would also receive an apology.
Compromise. Common sense. Congratulations.
Mitic, a 30-year-old sniper who credits the very existence of the bike built by the guys at Barrie Harley-Davidson/Buell for helping his recovery, was pleased because it's one less thing he has to worry about as he continues his rehabilitation at the nearby St. John's rehab centre.
'Rules are rules'
"I am very appreciative," he said. "In the end it worked out and I thank them. I thank everybody who supported me and there's no hard feelings."
After receiving a phone message, Mitic was hoping to meet with building property manager Sandi Plesa to iron things out. "I hope people are not too hard on her," he said. "Maybe she was just trying to say rules are rules."
The last thing Mitic needs is confrontation, conflict and complication. The kid has been through enough. In January he stepped on a Taliban bomb that changed his life. Seven months later he said he was actually more concerned about the plight of motorcyclists than the fact he is now disabled. "What's wrong with parking a motorcycle?"
But the fact that he had both his legs blown off by the gutless sneak attack of the Taliban brought out the defence mechanism in so many readers who were horrified with the rules-are-rules approach.
In fairness, Oakes was not aware of this situation until he read the Sunday Sun. He also defended his property manager, saying, "She didn't know of Mr. Mitic's situation. She is very upset."
She is not the only one. The e-mails are still coming in by the dozens.
Many people were moved that complete strangers would raise $50,000 to build Mitic a customized motorcycle with a thumb shifter and were mystified why some strict condo rules would not allow him to park it -- even though other bikes were permitted to park. Many offered their garages.
'For our freedom'
It seems when it comes to messing with our troops and our war heroes, people will take a stand.
"He is a handicapped person now, fighting for our freedom and the world -- this is his thanks!" says Robert Reeson.
"Can we not bend the rules some to accommodate? For gawdsakes. Wake up, people!"
Lisa McNevin and Allan Stroud wrote: "If it was a member of your family who was fighting for what he/she believed, and was injured doing so, would you not fight for them with the same dedication and determination which they continually fight for you?"
Many e-mails were like this one from Tim J. Schleich of Delhi, Ont.
"Shame on these people for doing what they are doing to what I consider a Canadian Hero."
But Oakes stresses his manager had no idea Mitic was recovering from war wounds and would have made an exception if he had mentioned it. Mitic says many in the building were aware and he tried to get a meeting where it would be explained privately. No meeting was arranged and he received a letter Friday indicating he had until Monday to remove his vehicle or it would be towed.
All he was looking for was a compromise until Sept. 10 -- when he heads back to CFB Petawawa to start the process to get back to Afghanistan to support his country. Ironically, it's a motorcycle that is helping him do that.
While it's true this story had legs, it also turns out it had a heart, soul, apologies and logical conclusion, too.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
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David Hopkinson
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Great News
Canadians will usually do the right thing when given the chance (and enough pressure).
Pro Patria
Dave
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Well, way to go Mr Oakes..the right thing has been done.. i feel badly for the young lady, but... you know, maybe she has to learn to check things out first... and i am not surprised at Jodys reaction.. ie , no hard feelings.. i only hope that we all take a second look at things in our lives , lest we , un conscoiusly , stomp on others rights and feelings... just great to hear this is straightend out... keep on ridin' Jody , and best of luck... ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Ugh!
Soldier jailed for staying in bed while comrades under siege
'I'm going to sleep
By CHRIS LAMBIE Staff Reporter
A Canadian soldier stayed in bed while insurgents attacked his forward operating base in Afghanistan last year.
A military judge sentenced Master Cpl. Paul Patrick Billard to 21 days in jail for his actions during the May 22, 2006, attack in Kandahar province.
"You displayed a total lack of discipline and a lack of respect for orders by remaining in bed, by refusing to don your helmet and your flak vest and by refusing to report to your assigned place of duty," Lt.-Col. Jean-Guy Perron, the court martial judge, said in his decision.
In the event of an attack, he was supposed to act as a stretcher-bearer and be part of the reserve force.
"You were aware there was an increased threat to the forward operating base and that the base was particularly vulnerable at that time because a large number of soldiers were absent from the base," Lt.-Col. Perron said.
Armed insurgents attacked the camp at 2 a.m. One of the attackers tried to fire a rocket-propelled grenade at one of the base’s guard towers from about 50 metres away.
"The stand-to siren (warning soldiers to prepare to defend their position) and small-arms fire could be heard throughout the camp," Lt.-Col. Perron said.
"A guard returned fire and a patrol was dispatched to find the attackers. The stand-to lasted approximately one hour to 1 1/2 hours. At the start of the stand-to, other members of your living area urged you to get out of bed and tried to make you react appropriately to the alarm."
According to a statement of facts filed in the case, a corporal was donning his fighting gear when Master Cpl. Billard tried to discourage him by saying: "Where are you going and what for? You are a f- - -ing flincher."
Other soldiers began urging Master Cpl. Billard to get out of bed, and he said: "You’re all just flinchers.
""You don’t have to get dressed. You’re just f- - -ing flinching."
When two of his comrades tried to roust Master Cpl. Billard by banging a locker loudly with a plastic tube, he replied: "I’m immune to that. I’m going to sleep."
Master Cpl. Billard did get out of bed at one point, "pulled on a pair of shorts, grabbed his pistol" and left his sleeping quarters to use the latrine.
"He returned and climbed back into bed," court documents say. "The stand-to ended a short time later."
The court martial judge said the soldier’s conduct was "reprehensible" that day.
"It surely is not the conduct we expect of Canadian non-commissioned officers. Your duty is to follow orders and to ensure the welfare and discipline of your subordinates. You failed this duty miserably."
The 33-year-old soldier was born in York, Ont., and joined the army in St. John’s, N.L.
Master Cpl. Billard pleaded guilty to the military charge of "neglect to the prejudice of good order and discipline."
The prosecution withdrew another charge that "when ordered to carry out an operation of war (he) failed to use his utmost exertion to carry the orders into effect."
The judge’s oral decision was delivered on July 6, just two days after six Canadian soldiers and a civilian Afghan interpreter died when the RG-31 Nyala patrol vehicle they were travelling in struck a bomb on a gravel road southwest of Kandahar.
"We are dealing with an offence that lies at the very heart of the concept of discipline and of our military justice system," Lt.-Col. Perron said. "This offence was committed in a theatre of operations in which combat and the threat from the enemy is an intricate part of daily life. The recent loss of six Canadian soldiers is a stark reminder of this fact.
"Discipline is one of the fundamental qualities that ensure mission success and the safety of our personnel and of our equipment. We are trained to perform our duties and are expected to execute those duties to the best of our abilities. We must also trust our comrades-in-arms to be up to the task to ensure mission success and ensure the safety of our troops."
Master Cpl. Billard monitored his radio throughout the incident to keep himself apprised of the tactical situation, court documents say.
"He came to the conclusion that the situation did not require his getting out of bed. His magazines were loaded with ammunition and his weapons were readied. Although he did not don his fighting order, it was readily accessible."
In a written version of his decision released this week, the judge said he did not buy that argument.
"I do not find that your monitoring of the radio has any bearing in this case," Lt.-Col. Perron said. "It is not up to you to decide which orders are applicable to you and when they are applicable. You, like any other soldier at that camp, had one important responsibility: Obey the orders and react in a manner that will ensure the safety of your comrades and the success of the mission."
Master Cpl. Billard had been at the camp, which was not identified during the court martial for security reasons, for five months before the offence.
The judge said he was not provided with any evidence that would help explain the soldier’s actions that morning.
"Although they appear out of character with your normal level of performance as described by your (personnel evaluation report), they seem to demonstrate that you failed in an environment and in a situation that is the ultimate test for a soldier," Lt.-Col Perron said.
"I am talking about meeting the ultimate challenge, that of demonstrating one’s discipline and one’s fortitude on the battlefield. This egregious lack of self-discipline was compounded by your lack of leadership when you attempted to discourage a corporal from obeying the standing orders. You made conscious decisions throughout a stand-to that lasted over one hour with one objective in mind: the wilful disobedience of a critical standing order while the camp was under a direct threat from the enemy."
The prosecutor recommended a sentence of 10 to 21 days of detention. The defence suggested a severe reprimand and a fine of $2,000 to $3,000.
The judge said his sentence must focus on primarily on general deterrence, denunciation and retribution.
"I would have considered a more severe sentence than what I am about to impose had it been proposed by the prosecution," Lt.-Col. Perron said before handing down the 21-day sentence, to be served at a military prison in Edmonton.
Master Cpl. Billard is now working as an image analyst in Ottawa. Job evaluations before and after the May 2006 occurrence describe him as "an excellent performer" with outstanding potential to progress in his trade. He was slated to be promoted to sergeant in January 2007, but that was delayed because of the charges.
Master Cpl. Billard has been released on bail pending a planned appeal of his sentence.
"With the greatest of respect, I think that’s too harsh a sentence for a first offender in these circumstances," his lawyer, Lt.-Cmdr. John McMunagle, said Tuesday.
While the Defence Department paid for the soldier’s defence, his lawyer must apply in writing to see whether the military will cover the cost of an appeal.
"If they don’t find professional merit, then the client has to decide whether he’s going to hire a private lawyer, which won’t be me, to advance the appeal, or whether he’s going to abandon it and just say, ‘To hell with it,’ and go to jail for 21 days," Lt.-Cmdr. McMunagle said.
There have only been a few Canadian courts martial stemming from incidents in Afghanistan, where Canada has about 2,500 troops.
( clambie@herald.ca)
’Your duty is to follow orders and to ensure the welfare and discipline of your subordinates. You failed this duty miserably.
LT.-COL JEAN-GUY PERRONCourt martial judge
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Hmmmm. interesting.... fatigue... temporary loss of sanity? By the report ,it all seems very out of character for this man..?? But the bottom line is his lack of basic self discipline did likely put his buddies in some jeopardy... to me 21 days for that is not too much.....ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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sgt t hanna (ret'd)
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THIS M/CPL SHOULD BE STRIPPED OF RANK, JAILED FOR TWO YEARS LESS A DAY AND DISHONOURLY DISCHARGED.HIS INACTIONS TO REACT TO A SERIOUS SITUATION SUCH AS STATED, ARE A DISGRACE TO THE CF. AND IN THE FACE OF AN ATTACK BY INSURGENTS, WHAT IN GODS NAME WAS HE THINKING, PROBLY THOUGHT HE WAS IN SUFFIELD OR SOMETHING, THE FOOL. HE IS NOT A LEADER,SO HE SHOULD NOT BE CALLED ONE OR ACCREDITED AS SUCH. HE MUST HAVE THOUGHT HE WAS IMPRESSING PEOPLE WITH HIS "DADDY COOL " ATTITUDE, OR JOHN WAYNE LIKE DEMEANOR. HE DESERVES ALL(AND MORE) HE GETS
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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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I feel under the circumstances.... they would have to surgically remove my boot from his arse!
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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On a brighter note.... Another well deserved well-done is in order.
Afghan commander receives Meritorious Service Cross
William Lin
CanWest News Service; Ottawa Citizen
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
OTTAWA - Under the unforgiving desert sun in 55 C heat, Lt.-Col. Omer Henry Lavoie led troops in Afghanistan in the fight against the Taliban.
But the man who led NATO's largest ground offensive didn't command from afar. He was on the front lines, and his machine gun on his light-armored vehicle proved it: it had a gouge on the barrel from flying shrapnel, only inches away from his head. And other times, the man who at one time led 1,400 troops, was metres away from a suicide bombing.
"My perspective is that you have to lead from the front so you understand what your soldiers are going through," he said several months later.
Governor General Michaelle Jean announced Monday that Lavoie, 41, was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross. For seven months beginning August 2006, Lavoie commanded the 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, in southern Afghanistan. Within days of taking command, he led Operation Medusa, NATO's first offensive ground operation at the Battle Group level.
At the height of the the operation, 1,400 troops moved under his command. But, he also immersed himself in battles, sitting in the crew commander's seat of his light-armored vehicle as bullets whistled around his convoy.
"I don't know how many times, close to half a dozen times or so, we were ambushed or engaged with some sort of direct fire weapon," he said.
His convoy constantly encountered improvised explosive devices, or IEDs - and on Nov. 27 it led to personal tragedy. Lavoie was leading his four-vehicle combat patrol as they tried to link up with forward troops. Half an hour after leaving Kandahar Airfield, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive, killing the driver in the vehicle behind Lavoie.
It also killed his right hand man, Chief Warrant Officer Robert Girouard. They had been together for almost 18 months during training and combat, he said. But they were more than just colleagues: In August, Lavoie will we walking Girouard's daughter down the aisle. "That was certainly probably the most trying day given that he's my right hand man, a very close friend, families are very close," he said. "So to have him killed ... that was a difficult blow for me and my battle group." But it also strengthened his resolve to win the war, he said.
Ottawa Citizen
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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george burrows
redpatch43
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Way to go Mike.excellent articles. Hooray for our General and his award. If he is getting it for bravery, I'm sure he has earned it. Also you are correct in that YOU MUST LEAD FROM THE FRONT instead of being a COMMAND POST INDIVIDUAL GIVING ORDERS.
PRO PATRIA to all.
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dave sewell
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Seems like 21 days is very light. Guys years ago used to get 30 days for being AWOL or sometimes for being late. I know times have changed , but devotion to duty shouldnt.He joined for this reason and collects a pay cheque for it, I agree he should be booted.
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Well, a neat one Mike, surgical removal of said well placed boot... heheheheh...and i too belivev he , his case has to be thoroughly reviewed...i wonder too how he was a MCpl, and up for promotion to Sgt. .. but there are always cases where some get thru the cracks./..ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Gov't stalled on friendly fire reports: opposition
Canadian Press
Updated: Wed. Aug. 8 2007 5:36 PM ET
OTTAWA — Opposition parties accused the Tory government Wednesday of delaying the release of the findings of military investigations into two incidents in which Canadian soldiers were accidentally killed by American firepower in Afghanistan.
"This is damage control, pure and simple,'' said Liberal MP Denis Coderre. "Let's call a spade a spade.''
On Tuesday, the army released the findings of a board of inquiry that blamed a lack of co-ordination among Canadian, U.S. and Afghan forces in a March 2006 battle where Pte. Robert Costall was accidentally machine-gunned by American special forces.
The inquiry report and separate military police investigation found that the U.S. commander failed to properly outline the location of forces defending Forward Operating Base Robinson, and that Canadians did not warn American troops about their movements as insurgents were trying to overrun the outpost.
The board also found that Canadian troops were not wearing infrared beacons that could have distinguished them from enemy fighters.
The Canadian inquiry report was finished and presented for approval to the chief of defence staff, Gen. Rick Hillier, on March 8, 2007, according to documents released by the military.
Military police, who conducted a separate probe to see whether Canadians soldiers should be charged, formally wrapped up their investigation on June 8, 2007, said Lt.-Col. Bud Garrett, a senior officer with the National Investigative Service.
Coderre said it's hard to believe that five months were needed to get Hillier's signature on the report and to liaise with American authorities.
But a spokeswoman for Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor said the government had no say in the process.
"We don't ever intervene in investigations,'' said Isabelle Bouchard. "We get the findings when they come through the chain of command. And even then the minister only gets an FYI.''
Cmdr. Mike Considine, a spokesman for the board of inquiry, also said there was no foot-dragging for political reasons.
"We were waiting on information coming from the U.S. investigation,'' he said. "The report had to be reviewed for national security issues, there was a legal review, the families -- both here and in the States -- had to be notified.''
Considine said National Defence has no control over the speed of the U.S. investigation and Canadian officials have been held up, particularly the military police, waiting for their U.S. counterparts.
But NDP defence critic Dawn Black said she doesn't buy the explanation because the U.S. report into Costall's death was released a month ago in response to a freedom of information request by The Associated Press.
Releasing the Canadian findings in the middle of summer, when many are on holiday, virtually guarantees that the matter will be forgotten and swept under the rug, she said.
"It would work better for the government if they were more straightforward with members of Parliament and the Canadian public,'' she said.
"When information is held back -- rightly or wrongly -- it leads to a perception of coverup.''
Three weeks ago, late on a Friday night, the military released a report into the friendly-fire incident in which one Canadian soldier was killed and 30 others wounded after an American A-10A attack plane accidentally strafed members of the Royal Canadian Regiment at Ma'sum Ghar.
Since Canadian troops first arrived in Afghanistan, troops have been on the receiving end of accidental American fire three times.
In April 2002, four members of the 3rd Battalion of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry were killed after being mistakenly bombed by a U.S. F-16 during a nighttime training exercise near Kandahar Airfield.
The incident and subsequent investigation by the U.S. Air Force caused a political backlash in Canada.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Blais
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I don't know whether this will help Noseworthy out or not but it is a good thing.
N.L. gov't says it will introduce legislation to protect jobs of reservists
Wed, 2007-08-08 16:48.
By: TARA BRAUTIGAM
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. (CP) - Legislation will be introduced in Newfoundland and Labrador to protect the jobs of military reservists while they're serving overseas, the province's labour minister said Wednesday.
The move comes after a Newfoundland man returned to the province this week after serving in Afghanistan, but is now looking for employment after he lost his job at a car dealership.
Labour Minister Shawn Skinner said legislation requiring employers to hold the jobs of reservists is no different from laws that ensure maternity leave for mothers who give birth, or compassionate care for those tending to the terminally ill.
"I believe it's not an unreasonable request to make of an employer that when somebody wants to go and serve their country, that you hold their job until such time that they come back," Skinner said in an interview.
Maj. Wallace Noseworthy, a reservist with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, returned Tuesday to the province. He could not be reached Wednesday, but he told CBC News that he chose to leave his job after his employer, Humber Motors Ford Ltd. in Stephenville, refused to grant him a leave of absence to serve overseas.
Calls to the car dealership were referred to its general manager in Corner Brook, but he could not be reached for comment.
Marilyn Tucker, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Employers'Council, said it's not easy for some employers, especially small businesses, to hold a position for reservists while they're away.
"How do you replace a key employee or senior employee or a highly skilled employee in a labour market that is exceptionally tight anyway, and you're trying to replace someone for a six-month period?" Tucker said.
"Businesses may not be able to survive if they lose key employees and are unable to replace them."
But she added that the majority of employers are able to hold jobs for workers who decide to serve overseas.
Skinner said the legislation, which is already in effect in Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, could come as early as the fall.
The issue of job protection for reservists struck a chord earlier this year in New Brunswick after the provincial government said a reservist would be offered employment on his return from Afghanistan after he quit his job at NB Power.
Maj. Sean Courty stepped down last year as a security official at a nuclear generating station when the Crown corporation denied his request for a leave of absence before he departed for Afghanistan.
The Department of National Defence currently has no position on the issue, Lt.-Cmdr. Margaret Morris said.
About 30 per cent of the 2,500 Canadian Forces personnel stationed in Afghanistan are reservists, Morris said.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Blais
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Wounded vet moved by rally
Defence Minister, Don Cherry Join Thousands Who Support Troops
Natalie Alcoba
National Post, With Files From CanWest News Service
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Master Corporal Jody Mitic, who lost his legs to a land mine in Afghanistan, stands at a rally to support Canada's troops yesterday.
TORONTO - Sharing a stage with the Minister of Defence, the head of the Canadian Forces and Don Cherry, wounded soldier Jody Mitic looked out at a boisterous crowd of people gathered for a Toronto rally in support of troops in Afghanistan and noted how times have changed.
"When [I] first joined in the mid-Nineties, military and army were bad words," said the 30-year-old Master Corporal from Brampton, Ont., who stepped on a land mine in the Panjwaii district and now wears artificial legs. "But now, everyone is supporting us. Makes it worth it, losing my legs and all."
The military estimated that 4,000 people attended the Red Friday Rally, held in the Canadian Forces display at the Canadian National Exhibition yesterday. The rally included addresses from Chief of Defence Staff General Rick Hillier, Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair and Defence Minister Peter MacKay, who said, "We are doing this mission because Canadians care."
Some speakers alluded to the debate that surrounds the mission, which began in 2002.
"It is not my job, nor my responsibility, to articulate why we do certain missions but let me just tell you, as soldiers, we have to believe that there's a nugget of a mission before we will go out and do it," Gen. Hillier said. "Before we go on a mission, where we risk life and limb as our soldiers do every single day, we have to believe in the mission."
Hockey personality Don Cherry, who wore a red jacket, acknowledged that not everyone agrees with the war, "but when our troops are over there, we have to support them," he said.
The Red Friday campaign started in April, 2006, to show support for the Canadian Forces. It encourages Canadians to wear a red article of clothing on Fridays to represent the blood that has been shed by soldiers.
Yesterday's rally comes at the end of a deadly week for the Canadian mission. On Sunday, Private Simon Longtin was killed. On Wednesday, Master Warrant Officer Mario Mercier and Master Corporal Christian Duchesne died when their armoured vehicle hit a roadside bomb. All three soldiers were based in Valcartier, Que.
Yesterday, Mr. MacKay talked about the difference the Canadian military is making in Afghanistan; boys and girls are able to go to school, women can work.
"The rally today means so much to our troops, it means so much to the men and women who are working hard to protect us, to safeguard our freedoms and the lives of the people in Afghanistan and those who want to live in an open and free country like ours," he said.
Gen. Hillier said rallies prove to soldiers that Canadians are with them on the mission.
-For more coverage and analysis of Canada's mission in Afghanistan and a photo gallery of our fallen soldiers, visit our home page.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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Posts: 3376
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Gesture brews goodwill among troops
By JACK BOLAND, SUN MEDIA
All John Podlewski wanted to do for troops serving in Afghanistan was have them wake up to the smell of Canadian coffee.
Last November he thought of bringing some Christmas cheer to 2,700 soldiers with a gift certificate for Tim Hortons coffees and a doughnut to remind them of home and support their efforts.
"We were talking in our boardroom one day and wanted to do something for the guys," said Podlewski, founder of Debt Free Canada and a former Canadian serviceman. "It was part of Operation Santa Claus this past year.
"We did it because I never forget my roots. And after all, it was only a coffee and a doughnut."
Yesterday at the CNE's Canadian Forces display, Podlewski, who broke his back twice serving under the United Nations forces, shook hands and swapped stories with some of the same soldiers who received those gift certificates.
Troops like Cpl. Joe Alteen, originally from Newfoundland and serving with the Royal Canadian Regiment 26 in Petawawa, was amazed that he got to meet the same guy who sent them the simple but meaningful gift.
"Basically it was nice to get a little treat from home, and see the support we are getting from home," Alteen said.
Fellow Cpl. Luke Winnicki said it "was one of the better Christmas gifts a guy could get overseas."
Winnicki, who served six months in front-line combat in the Panjwayi district, said even though the gift was small, "it meant the world to us."
Winnicki said his posting was the most challenging time of his life, especially with losing a friend in combat.
"There were long days and a few firefights. But I had a good crew with me and we punched right through," he said.
This year, Podlewski hopes to do something special for the serving Forces members families and children here at home.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
|
|
|
Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 3376
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Cdn. commander looks back on Operation Medusa
Canadian Press
Updated: Sun. Sep. 2 2007 6:37 PM ET
OTTAWA — Despite successful targeted raids over the last month, Canadian soldiers in southern Afghanistan can expect some "tough slogging" before this year's fighting season ends, says a senior military commander.
But any military action in the Kandahar region over the coming months will likely pale in comparison to Operation Medusa, a NATO-led offensive that one year ago ultimately cost a dozen Canadian soldiers their lives, says Lt.-Gen. Michel Gauthier, the commander of Canadian troops overseas.
"Challenges lay ahead. It's going to be tough slogging without question," Gauthier said in an interview in advance of the anniversary of Medusa.
"But with the prospect of some light at the end of the tunnel. I have difficulty imagining the need to conduct another Medusa-like operation."
Canadian forces have recently focused efforts on smaller combat operations, capturing or taking out specific people, including Taliban leaders and bomb builders.
"We have conducted some targeted operations over the course of the last month which have seen ... a number of known bomb makers and commanders and IED cells and so on apprehended, detained or otherwise taken off the streets," Gauthier said.
But there have been no large-scale operations of the magnitude of Operation Medusa, which began over the Labour Day weekend of 2006 and involved nearly all of Canada's combat forces on the ground in Kandahar, as well as British, American and Afghan troops.
For Canada, and for NATO, Operation Medusa was historic.
It came at a time when Taliban forces were grouping for a fight, and waging a propaganda battle against the residents of Kandahar City, distributing DVDs in local markets depicting the killing of foreign "sympathizers, | | | |
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