Former Liberal cabinet minister Barney Danson, whose life is a mission dedicated to making Canada's legendary war history known to every single public school child, must be anguished. Our federal government is allowing our aging and diminishing war veterans to die off in ignonomy.
First we have federal officials refusing outright to consider an 81-year-old merchant mariner for a bravery medal. Canadian hero Yvon Chiasson, who is credited with rescuing eight American sailors off the coast of Cape Breton during the Second World War, was recognized by another country, the United States of America. The Canadian government refused on April 12, 2000 to consider the elderly Chiasson for a decoration after his son nominated him, and within just days of the United States Navy awarding him a Silver Lifesaving Medal.
This from the same Canadian government which includes sex therapist Sue Johanson in its latest awards ceremony for the Order of Canada.
Then Ottawa looks the other way as the legacy of their political correct regime makes the Canadian cadet corps and squadrons wax squeamish.
The few Canadian veterans we have left are understandably outraged at suggestions the word "warrior" be dropped from their annual parades at local fairs. The red poppy set feels it is a denial of history and destroys a critical piece of Canada's military tradition.
The cadets however, are refusing to march at Toronto's Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) and the Western Fair in London, Ont. this year unless "Veterans Day" replaces the title.
In a politically correct era, there is cadet concern about projecting an image as child warriors and the cadets say that while they will assist and carry signs or flags, they will not march in formation under the old name.
It is amusing for some to contemplate Minister of Defence Art Eggleton reading the letter from Ed Halayko who is a member of London’s Warrior Day committee. "Kindly explain how Canada became a nation without her warriors in wars. First, the French were beaten, then the Yanks, then the Boers, then World War I--particularly Vimy Ridge--then World War II and Korea," Halayko wrote. "Those wars were not fought by Girl Guides or generals, but by warrior soldiers. Therefore, what jackass...is responsible for this latest effort to convert our once-proud military into some Boy Scout movement? I have nothing against scouting, but they are not fighting men."
As it happens, Eggleton's department provides funding to the cadets.
Colonel Rick Hardy, director of Canada's cadets, said the youth program is not a training camp for "child soldiers" and sending them to march in a Warriors'Day parade sends the wrong message. The colonel said Canada decries the use of child soldiers internationally and cannot be seen promoting child warriors at home.
Halayko files this tempest under 'P' for Politically Correct.
"So…wave a fleur-de-lis at the enemy and hope to frighten them off. Get real. Wars are won by fighting men, not frightened prancing nancies being politically correct--whatever that may mean," Halayko wrote.
"This is such a scandal. What has Canada come to? It bothers those of us who spent six years of our lives overseas to see this happen. It's part of our country and heritage."
Even so, while cadets will make the lip-service gesture of participating in the Warriors' Day parade at the CNE this September, as they always do, they will not march with our veterans. Imagine!
Little wonder why Halayko who served his country and defends the notion of never forgetting the thousands of young Canadians who sacrificed their lives so the rest of us could live in freedom asks: "What has Canada come to?"
It has come to the wishy-washy, fence-sitting politically correct Liberals, Mr. Halayko. A Party with no competition in sight, no strong principles of which to speak, and inundated with the prancing nancies who never had to pay a thing for the price of freedom.
Canada Free Press founding editor Most recent by Judi McLeod is an award-winning journalist with 30 years experience in the print media. Her work has appeared on Newsmax.com, Drudge Report, Foxnews.com, Glenn Beck. Judi can be reached at: judi@canadafreepress.com
Pursuant to Title 17 U.S.C. 107, other copyrighted work is provided for educational purposes, research, critical comment, or debate without profit or payment. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for your own purposes beyond the 'fair use' exception, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Views are those of authors and not necessarily those of Canada Free Press. Content is Copyright 1997-2018 the individual authors. Site Copyright 1997-2018 Canada Free Press.Com Privacy Statement