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Topic: Lower the damn flag! (Read 1146 times)
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Brrrrrrrrrr.
A man/woman volunteers to serve his nation in combat and, valiantly, pays the ultimate price for his nation and, in there minds, he does not rate the same honours that is bestown on some flaky politician who's sole contribution to the land is a propensity for feeding off the trough and blocking what should be considered only proper... Bletch!
I was hoping the new government would be more supportive of the armed forces and veterans, particularly in the matter of the clawback many of us who receive DVA pensions are getting, who are. unfairly (so they said when they were the opposition) penalized. Twenty-three grand tax free later, were are still waiting... Next thing you know, Harper will order Ontario to remove the Highway of Heroes...
Ottawa panel wants to stop lowering flag for Vimy Ridge, police, women and workers
BILL CURRY
From Tuesday's Globe and Mail
April 1, 2008 at 2:46 AM EDT
OTTAWA — A federal advisory panel that studied whether Ottawa should fly the Peace Tower flag at half-mast to mark the deaths of individual soldiers is rejecting the idea - and wants to dramatically scale back the number of days already receiving the ceremonial honour.
The "special days" that would be scrapped include Vimy Ridge Day on April 9 and Workers' Mourning Day on April 28. Also targeted is the last Sunday in September, which marks Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day, and Dec. 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
The goal of the proposed new guidelines is to focus attention on Remembrance Day as the only scheduled day on the calendar that would receive the honour.
The flag would continue to fly at half-mast after the deaths of federal officials such as MPs and lieutenant-governors.
The Canadian flag flies at half-mast on the Peace Tower in Ottawa, seen through the Queen's Gate. The Canadian Press
The Canadian flag flies at half-mast on the Peace Tower in Ottawa, seen through the Queen's Gate. (The Canadian Press)
The Globe and Mail
The report is surfacing as opposition MPs plan to pass a motion tomorrow calling for the Peace Tower flag to fly at half-mast each time a Canadian dies overseas in a military mission.
In advance of losing the nonbinding vote, Conservatives are countering with the federally commissioned report from a who's who of Canadian heraldry called the Secretary of State flag advisory committee. Chaired by Robert Watt, the former chief herald of Canada, the panel also includes current Chief Herald Claire Boudreau, Brad White of the Royal Canadian Legion, and historians René Chartrand and Jacques Monet.
They were asked last year by Jason Kenney, the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity, to review not only the issue of soldier deaths but the protocol of flying flags at half-mast at federal buildings.
Its chairman, Mr. Watt, argued yesterday that Remembrance Day is the single most appropriate date to honour all fallen soldiers.
"One of our aims was trying to emphasize how important half-masting is as a procedure," said Mr. Watt, in explaining why his panel recommends an end to the "special days" section of the current protocol. "We felt really that the idea of half-masting had been extended beyond where it needed to be, and so we wanted to reinforce its importance by focusing it in as precise and clear a way as possible."
The government is expected to reject the results of tomorrow's vote. It will instead call for the report to be studied by the House of Commons Canadian heritage committee.
As for soldier deaths, the panel recommends easing the rules for soldiers to be honoured locally by flying flags at government buildings at half-mast.
Other than dropping the "special days," the proposed protocol for the Peace Tower and all other government buildings is essentially the same as the status quo. That means flying the flag at half-mast is an honour reserved for the Queen and her family, the current and former governor-general, prime minister, chief justice of the Supreme Court, lieutenant-governors, current members of Parliament, senators and privy councillors. The panel recommends the flag at the Department of Foreign Affairs be flown at half-mast to honour the passing of current heads of mission to Canada.
Liberal MP Andrew Telegdi's motion - which is supported by all three opposition parties - also calls for MPs to observe a moment of silence in the House of Commons.
The government started lowering the flag for soldier deaths under former prime minister Jean Chrétien, and the opposition heavily criticized the Conservatives for stopping the practice.
Mr. Telegdi argued that the Conservatives are simply trying to avoid negative attention surrounding soldiers dying in Afghanistan.
"I'm a Liberal. I voted for extending the mission," Mr. Telegdi said. "But this comes at a heavy price and it's not something we should be sweeping under the rug."
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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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Young Ken
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Fort York - 2 RCR 67-70 * 1 RCR Recce 70-74
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Below is a letter which every ex or still serving soldier should sent to their MP's. Please use your cut & Paste functions and fill in the in brackets areas, address the bottom and send it off. ************************* ************************* ************************* Hi (add your MP's name here), According to the article, you're involved in resolving this issue, an issue I see as disrespect for our military members. Dead politicians should be honoured while dead soldiers shouldn't? As a voting member of your constituency, I don't believe you'd have even considered such a thing. I hope you haven't changed and that you still respect the sacrifice being made by our soldiers. Whether soldiers live or die, their lives are changed forever by their service - often not for the better. Just the opposite is usually true for politicians. "..flying the flag at half-mast is an honour reserved for the Queen and her family, the current and former governor-general, prime minister, chief justice of the Supreme Court, lieutenant-governors, current members of Parliament, senators and privy councillors. The panel recommends the flag at the Department of Foreign Affairs be flown at half-mast to honour the passing of current heads of mission to Canada." (MP's first name here), this is not to be tolerated! Please do what you can to ensure those making real sacrifices are dealt with honorably. *************************** This letter has gone out to papers across Canada: Of course the flag should only be lowered to half-mast for politicians and their ilk. Look at the sacrifices they make! They have to serve their constituents, fly off on junkets around the world, make use of their often outrageous expense accounts, and generally put their lives at similar risks every day! Please remember these sacrifices wouldn't be necessary if the politicians weren't forced into their service to us. Just because military members put their lives on the line in foreign countries from various weapons used by the enemy and in Camp Gagetown from the poisoned soil and water shouldn't give them special rights. Who do they think they are? Do they really think their deaths matter to Canadians? Certainly the flag should only be lowered to half mast one day a year for military members - on Remembrance Day. Perhaps Ottawa can make a deal with the enemy that they only kill Canadians on November 11th, thus simplifying matters for those poor over-worked politicians. Then the deaths of our long-suffering politicians, who always contribute so much to our country, can be rightfully mourned by all Canadians as they die off. Not soon enough for many of them, in my opinion. *********************** http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080401.wflag01/BN Ottawa panel wants to stop lowering flag for Vimy Ridge, police, women and workers BILL CURRY From Tuesday's Globe and Mail April 1, 2008 at 2:46 AM EDT OTTAWA — A federal advisory panel that studied whether Ottawa should fly the Peace Tower flag at half-mast to mark the deaths of individual soldiers is rejecting the idea - and wants to dramatically scale back the number of days already receiving the ceremonial honour. The "special days" that would be scrapped include Vimy Ridge Day on April 9 and Workers' Mourning Day on April 28. Also targeted is the last Sunday in September, which marks Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day, and Dec. 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. The goal of the proposed new guidelines is to focus attention on Remembrance Day as the only scheduled day on the calendar that would receive the honour. The flag would continue to fly at half-mast after the deaths of federal officials such as MPs and lieutenant-governors. The report is surfacing as opposition MPs plan to pass a motion tomorrow calling for the Peace Tower flag to fly at half-mast each time a Canadian dies overseas in a military mission. In advance of losing the nonbinding vote, Conservatives are countering with the federally commissioned report from a who's who of Canadian heraldry called the Secretary of State flag advisory committee. Chaired by Robert Watt, the former chief herald of Canada, the panel also includes current Chief Herald Claire Boudreau, Brad White of the Royal Canadian Legion, and historians René Chartrand and Jacques Monet. They were asked last year by Jason Kenney, the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity, to review not only the issue of soldier deaths but the protocol of flying flags at half-mast at federal buildings. Its chairman, Mr. Watt, argued yesterday that Remembrance Day is the single most appropriate date to honour all fallen soldiers. "One of our aims was trying to emphasize how important half-masting is as a procedure," said Mr. Watt, in explaining why his panel recommends an end to the "special days" section of the current protocol. "We felt really that the idea of half-masting had been extended beyond where it needed to be, and so we wanted to reinforce its importance by focusing it in as precise and clear a way as possible." The government is expected to reject the results of tomorrow's vote. It will instead call for the report to be studied by the House of Commons Canadian heritage committee. As for soldier deaths, the panel recommends easing the rules for soldiers to be honoured locally by flying flags at government buildings at half-mast. Other than dropping the "special days," the proposed protocol for the Peace Tower and all other government buildings is essentially the same as the status quo. That means flying the flag at half-mast is an honour reserved for the Queen and her family, the current and former governor-general, prime minister, chief justice of the Supreme Court, lieutenant-governors, current members of Parliament, senators and privy councillors. The panel recommends the flag at the Department of Foreign Affairs be flown at half-mast to honour the passing of current heads of mission to Canada. Liberal MP Andrew Telegdi's motion - which is supported by all three opposition parties - also calls for MPs to observe a moment of silence in the House of Commons. The government started lowering the flag for soldier deaths under former prime minister Jean Chrétien, and the opposition heavily criticized the Conservatives for stopping the practice. Mr. Telegdi argued that the Conservatives are simply trying to avoid negative attention surrounding soldiers dying in Afghanistan. "I'm a Liberal. I voted for extending the mission," Mr. Telegdi said. "But this comes at a heavy price and it's not something we should be sweeping under the rug." (your name) (address) (Postal code) (Telephone Number) |
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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These politicians are getting more self important every day.. they need a daily remoinder from their constituents, that they the ELECTED politicians , are members of the house of COMMONS... that word Commons is short for COmmoners.. you know... the SAME as each and every CDN... thats what you are sirs and mnadames.. you are NOT elected to set your backsude on some pedestal and declare yourselcves Kings and Queens of Canada.. you are the REPRESENTATIVES OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS...it is high time you all SMARTENED UP AND DID YOUR JOBS WITH RESPECT FOR THE OFFICE , AND YOUR PEOPLE WHO PUT YOU THERE...AND BY THE WAY CAN LEGALLY GATHER AT YOUR DOOR DEMANDING YOU BRING OUT YOUR KLETTER OF RESIGNATION...and yes sirs and madames, all of you ... Dang well know that..that is the only control the voters have and it may have to be used to smarten you people up....This is a DEMOCRACY.. so far.. but big changes have occurred, and i might add... those changes , at the least border on treasonist acts......think about it, while you still can... the people are becoming aware to you.....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
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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'When you lose your son to Canada, the flag becomes incredibly important to you'
BILL CURRY AND MATT HARTLEY
April 2, 2008
OTTAWA, TORONTO -- Colleen Myrol's most treasured possession is a Canadian flag.
It flew at half-mast over Parliament Hill to pay tribute to her son Brock, one of four RCMP officers shot to death in the line of duty outside Mayerthorpe, Alta., on March 3, 2005.
The flag that flew over the Peace Tower was then taken down, carefully folded and presented to Ms. Myrol and her husband, Keith, by then-prime-minister Paul Martin.
They have cherished it ever since.
"When you lose your son to Canada, the flag becomes incredibly important to you," she said.
When she heard that Ottawa has been advised to stop flying the flag on the Peace Tower and other federal buildings at half-mast during occasions such as Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day, she was shocked.
"I cannot believe any committee in Canada would think that we don't have the time to lower that flag for our men in the military and police forces who have died," she said.
"Whenever I see the Peace Tower with the flag at half-mast it always humbles me to remember the love and support Canadians have given us."
On the last Sunday of September, police officers from across the country march down Wellington Street in front of Ottawa's Parliament Buildings wearing their finest uniforms. Large crowds gather each year to show their support from the sidewalks.
The president of the Canadian Police Association, which represents 57,000 police officers across Canada, also said he couldn't believe it when he learned of the proposed new protocol, which would mean that officers' deaths would not automatically be marked by a lowering of the flag.
"I thought it was a bad joke," Tony Cannavino said. "We thought, 'Oh my God, what the hell is this?' "
Mr. Cannavino urged all MPs to lobby against the proposed changes, and noted that the governing Conservatives have more former police officers in their caucus than any other party. One of them, Rick Norlock, who twice attended the memorial day on the Hill, was already distancing himself yesterday from the panel's recommendation.
"I think we currently have the appropriate protocols in place. I don't see the need to change them," he said.
"My preference would be to keep the protocol the way it is."
The federally commissioned report - from a committee chaired by Robert Watt, the former chief herald of Canada - advises the government to scale back the number of days each year that receive the honour to intensify the impact when the flag is lowered for Remembrance Day.
Jason Kenney, the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity, who commissioned the report, was neutral yesterday on the call to scrap the honour for a handful of "special days," saying the idea should be studied by a Commons committee.
"The expert committee gave me a report suggesting that there could be other ways to acknowledge other important dates," Mr. Kenney said when asked about the harsh response from groups who might be affected.
While the Royal Canadian Legion and the Dominion Institute endorsed the report's conclusions, other groups were furious.
"[Half-masting is] a huge symbol to the women of Canada," said Amanda Dale of the YWCA Dec. 6 Fund. The fund helps Toronto women leave abusive relationships and is in honour of Dec. 6, 1989, when a gunman at Montreal's École Polytechnique shot 14 women dead.
The date has become the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, and women's groups around the world have been impressed that Canada marks the day by lowering the flag, Ms. Dale said.
"To me, it seems a huge step backward," she said.
Amnesty International, which also marks the day as part of a campaign to stop violence against women, expressed similar concerns.
Perhaps the most vehement response yesterday came from the heads of the Canadian Labour Congress and the United Steelworkers over the call to stop lowering the flag for Workers' Mourning Day on April 28.
Union leaders noted the day is an international event that was started nearly 25 years ago in Canada.
"I think it's outrageous, frankly," said CLC president Ken Georgetti, adding that hundreds of Canadians die on the job each year.
Steelworkers executive director Ken Neumann called the proposal "fairly disgraceful" given that the day began in Canada.
A Liberal motion to lower the flag to half-mast each time a Canadian soldier or government employee dies overseas as part of a military mission is expected to pass in the Commons today.
But Mr. Kenney said the government does not intend to follow the non-binding motion.
The Dominion Institute, which calls for greater awareness of Canadian historical events such as the battle of Vimy Ridge, was willing yesterday to give up half-masting on April 9 if it means a greater emphasis on Nov. 11.
Executive director Rudyard Griffiths said Canada will soon lose all of its Second World War veterans.
"I think we really have to redouble our efforts to make Remembrance Day a really important day."
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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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Young Ken
Veteran 300+ Member
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Fort York - 2 RCR 67-70 * 1 RCR Recce 70-74
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I'm not sure if it is the Stephen Harper Conservative Government; the out
right callousness of many MP's in Ottawa or the total unrealistic
compositions of Ottawa's advisory committees but please shake your
collective heads Ottawa and maybe even use them for a change.
Ottawa Federal Mp's are the only officials in Canada who can place our men
and women in uniform into harms way and therefore have the further duty to
do what's best for the soldier when it comes to Canadian policy or at least where
they are concerned. In my opinion ever though I now shamefully admit to
having voted for them, since the last government came into power they seem to
have spent more time trying to anger the very people keeping them in power
with case after case of, save pennies at the expense of the soldiers,
policies.
The CFB Gagetown fiasco, Suffield sham, Pension clawback, the new
(and definitely inferior) pension, VIP and now the Flag at half mast
shameful discussion, leaves no doubt that there is a concerted effort on the
part of Ottawa to demoralize the military during a time of war.
That said shortly after voting to extend the Canadian Militaries mission in
Afghanistan for yet another two years and Stephen Harpers Gang dared to ask
for the removal of a soldier's Last Right.
Worst yet, when confronted by a combined effort of every other politician in
Canada to halt this action the Tories say that they will not follow the will
of Ottawa, claiming it to be, "the tyranny of majority," to which they will
not bow.
Yet Stephen Harper has in the past and will again come election time, ask
for this very majority to which his party claims is a tyranny, leaving me to
wonder if elected with a majority Mr. Harper will in fact be a tyrant.
The very least a country can do for the soldier who gives his or her life
for Canadian ideals (weather I agree with them or not) is to have a flag in
Ottawa lowered to half mast for one day, then for that flag to be used for
the funeral proceedings and to have that very same flag (one that was flown
at half mast from the Parliament building of the very country they died for)
presented to the Mother, wife or next of kin.
Then again Stephen Harper may not want to be reminded of the men and women
who were sent to their deaths by him.
Cpl. Kenneth H. Young CD (Ret'd).
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Kenny Boy... I like it!
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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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TERRY HANNA SGT (RET'D)
Guest
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HEY GUY'S, THIS CURRENT GOVT'S PLAN SURE IS A RIGHT KICK IN THE PROVERBIAL NUTS FOR NOT ONLY A FALLEN HERO BUT FOR THAT HEROES FAMILY AND COMRADES,MAYBE I AM OLDER NOW AND THE OLD BRAIN CELLS ARE ON THE DECLINE BUT ISN'T THE ACT OF REMEMBERANCE (ANNUAL REMEMBERANCE DAY CELEBRATIONS) TO RECOGNIZE PAST WARS AND CONFLICTS,SURELY THIS CURRENT ONGOING CONFLICT IS IN IT'S OWN "CATEGORY" AND THEREFORE REQUIRES AN UNIQUE DEMONSTRATION OF RESPECT AND MOURNING.IF AND WHEN THIS CONFLICT ENDS THEN IT WOULD COME UNDER THE CURRENT TRADITION OF THE ACT OF REMEMBERANCE. AM I READING THIS "DEBATE" CORRECTLY,DO THEY RAISE THE FLAGS TO HALF MAST FOR FOREIGN HEADS OF MISSIONS,IF SO!,SAY THE IRANIAN OR SYRIAN HEADS OF MISSION DIE WILL THEY RAISE THE FLAG TO HALF MAST FOR THEM??? AFTER ALL THEIR GOVERNMENTS ARM,TRAIN AND FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE TERRORISTS THAT ARE KILLING CANADA'S SONS AND DAUGHTERS.........PERSONALY I WOULD VOLUNTEER TO HELP KICK THESE PEOPLE OUT OF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE WITH OUR FLAG SHOVED DOWN THEIR THROATS....CHOKE ON THAT YOU ALLAH WHALLAPERS!!!!!!!
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Mary Ann Peace
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Maybe I should send my flag and Silver Cross back to DND.
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
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Posts: 3261
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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How democracy works under a Harper neo-conservative government.
It doesn't! Unless it suits their purposes.
Vote to lower flag for soldiers fails to sway Tories
BILL CURRY
From Thursday's Globe and Mail
April 2, 2008 at 9:42 PM EDT
OTTAWA — The Conservative government vowed to ignore yesterday's 142-115 House of Commons vote in favour of lowering the Peace Tower flag to half-mast each time a Canadian dies in an overseas military mission.
The minority Tories argued they are respecting the more than 110,000 Canadian soldiers who died in the past century while the flag flew high atop the Parliament Buildings.
The debate appears far from over, as some MPs on the Commons Canadian Heritage committee said they are willing to take up the government's call for a wide-ranging review of Canada's flag rules.
Conservative committee member Jim Abbott will move a motion this afternoon and hopes to have enough support from Liberals to launch the study. “I recognize that it's a very emotional issue,” he said after yesterday's non-binding vote on a Liberal motion. “I think it's really important that there be a proper canvassing of opinion on this.”
Conservatives and at least one Liberal MP on the committee say there should be public hearings on the controversial recommendations from a federally commissioned panel. The five panelists proposed scaling back the number of days that federal flags would fly at half-mast to increase the emphasis on Remembrance Day. That would mean no longer extending the privilege on days honouring police, workers, the battle of Vimy Ridge and female victims of violence.
Sylvie Haviernick, whose sister Maud was one of 14 women killed by a deranged gunman in the Dec. 6, 1989, massacre at Montreal's École Polytechnique, was furious yesterday that the government would even consider the proposals.
Ms. Haviernick said rescinding the practice of flying the Peace Tower flag at half-mast each Dec. 6 for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women would be in line with earlier Tory moves to scale back funding for groups that campaign on women's issues.
“I'm shocked but I'm not surprised,” she said yesterday. “It really shows the philosophy of the Conservative Party. There isn't a lot of room for women in that party. … The few women who sit [as Conservatives] never have decision-making posts. Women do not have a voice in Ottawa, period.”
Jason Kenney, the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity, said the issue has nothing to do with gender. While neutral on the panel report, he said the government opposes lowering the flag for each death in a military mission because it could send a mixed message regarding those who died for Canada during the past century.
“We shouldn't just rush to some emotional judgment on this very important issue.”
Liberal MP Francis Scarpaleggia said that should the Commons Canadian heritage committee vote to study the issue, all sides will be heard.
But it is not clear the Tories will have enough support for a committee study. The NDP is opposed and new Liberal heritage critic Denis Coderre said he's concerned such hearings would open what he called a Pandora's box.
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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
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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The last , little , simple thing a country can do for one who has done their duty and given their all....and they want to take it away..why? do they not know that the families not only appreciate this simple gesture.. the last that soldier will ever get, and it does provide a degree of solace , knowing the country... is behind them in their grief....all of this has nothing to do with Remembrance Day.. that is a separate entity..and i hope it always will be.. and Mary Ann , i understand your gesture and feelings... but that flag and Silver Cross is yours.. forever, i hope you will not allow these bureaucrats to sully any of the meaning of those symbols....ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Donald
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POV - Point of View
Editorial
Military museum deserves support
It's been called the best regimental museum in Canada, a gem too many Londoners, and indeed those from across the region, ignore.
It holds the stories and memorabilia from those who fought in the Northwest Rebellion to those serving today in Afghanistan.
It has the ability to attract visitors from across Canada.
Over more than a century, the Royal Canadian Regiment has sent soldiers to every major conflict in Canadian history - and the RCR Museum on Oxford Street in London is one of the best places for the rest of us to appreciate that rich history.
Detailed memorials mark the five major conflicts the RCR was involved in. Artifacts are older than a century.
Uniforms, medals, weapons, maps, diagrams, battle trophies, an actual trench recreated on site to show visitors what life was like in the First World War, a recreated bunker from the Korean war . . .
But it could be so much more, and if organizers have their way, it will be.
It needs your help.
As the regiment celebrates its 125th anniversary, it's planning an expansion of the museum that will cost $2.3 million.
Organizers have already raised $750,000, but more will be needed if the museum is to properly reflect the true contributions of the regiment.
The city chipped in $200,000 and the province is in for $240,000. Organizers are hoping the federal government will do its bit as well.
But the real push needs to come from those in London, Southwestern Ontario and across Canada.
"The history of this place reflects the history of Canada," says fundraising director Greg Treehuba.
At the moment, the museum sees about 8,000 visitors a year, but the number could grow considerably if the space and the exhibitions are expanded.
Not only can it not handle big groups, it can't house all its growing collection of artifacts in an appropriate manner.
At the moment, it's half the size it should be if it is to do justice to the modern history of the RCR, including its role in the FLQ crisis, the Oka standoff, security during the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Kosovo and Afghanistan.
As Treehuba says, this is an excellent opportunity for us to show our support for a historic and often unappreciated part of our local - and national - history.
"If everybody in the city of London gave $1, it would be a big donation."
POSTED BY: Paul Berton, london
POSTED ON: April 1, 2008
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Logged
DONT YOU BLOODY WELL DARE TRY TO GO THRU WITH THIS...isnt it time you put your " energies" to work in the opposite direction.. such as looking after soldiers ,and veteran s in a FAIR AND EQUITABLE MANNER... or maybe even helping those even less fortunate... Good GOd.. when is a Gov of this great land going to get PRIORITIES STRAIGHT?
