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Reply With Quote"Hear, all ye good people, hear what this brilliant and eloquent speaker has to say!"Originally Posted by Amled
This was on the US military.com website. You will find it quite positive. It would appear that Mr. Meadows knows more about what our military is doing than most Canadians.
David Meadows | April 27, 2006
On April 22, 2006 four Canadian soldiers were killed in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb. Respects and heartfelt sadness go to the families of those heroes who stand alongside the U.S. in the Long War half a world away.
While we focus on the war in Iraq, the fighting continues in Afghanistan where side-by-side the U.S. and one of its most loyal allies, Canada, engage the re-emergence of the Taliban.
Canada is like a close uncle who constantly argues, badgers, and complains about what you are doing, but when help is truly needed, you can't keep him away: he's right there alongside you. We have a unique relationship with Canada. We have different political positions on many issues, but our unique friendship has weathered world wars, global crises, and the ever-so-often neighborhood disagreement.
Canada has been with us since the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism. In February 2006, without fanfare Canada, leading a multinational force combating growing Taliban insurgency, increased troop strength in Afghanistan to 2,300. With the American military stretched thin against rising instability in both Iraq and Afghanistan, an ally that increases its troop strength is inspiring and deserves our respect.
Katrina was another example of our close family-like relationship. Katrina struck the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005. Two days later, the Vancouver Urban Search and Rescue Team rushed from British Columbia, Canada to Saint Bernard Parish, Louisiana. In this Parish of 68,000 Americans, the first responders were Canadians. Overall, within the devastated Gulf Coast area, it appears Canada was the first responder outside of local efforts. They worked 18-hour days, going door-to-door alongside Louisiana State Troopers, rescuing 119-Americans.
While FEMA ramped up to surge into the catastrophe; while the administration and Louisiana fought for the politically correct way to respond; Canadian aid was already at work.
The Canadian Forces Joint Task Group 306 consisting of the warships HMCS Athabaskan, HMCS Toronto, NSMC Ville de Quebec, and CCGC William Alexander sailed to the Gulf Coast to deliver humanitarian supplies. They stayed, working alongside U.S. Navy and Mexican warships, to provide aid to Katrina victims.
Katrina was not an anomaly of our close relationship. When Hurricane Ivan devastated Pensacola, Florida in October 2004 Canadian humanitarian help was there also. Canadian power trucks roamed the streets and countryside helping restore electricity where Americans had a unique experience of running into workmen who only spoke French.
Canada took a lot of undeserved flak for failing to leap into Operation Iraqi Freedom when our administration sent us galloping across the desert.
But Canada remains one of our staunchest allies in the war. When United States military forces were fighting up the highways in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Canada quietly increased troop numbers in Afghanistan and continued Naval operations with U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf.
I was at the Pentagon on 9/11, stationed on the Joint Staff. During the early hours after the attack, the United States closed its air space and ordered every aircraft within our borders to land immediately at the nearest airfield. Canada immediately stood up an Operations Support Post.
With civil aviation grounded, aircraft destined for the United States were forced elsewhere. Most landed in Canada. Re-routed travelers and flight crews were hosted at Canadian Forces facilities in Goose Bay, Gander, and Stephenville, Newfoundland; Halifax, Shearwater, and Aldershot, Nova
Scotia; Winnipeg, Manitoba; and, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Canada rapidly mobilized its forces. Within hours, the Canadian Navy was on alert with ships preparing to cast off immediately for any U.S. port to help victims of the 9/11 attacks. Canada's Disaster Assistance Response Team prepared to deploy from Trenton, Ontario. Canada dispersed CF-18 fighter aircraft to strategic locations throughout Canada. No politics. No negotiating. No questions. They were just there. Canada would have fought any adversary that approached the United States that day.
Canada has been such an integral partner with the United States in the Global War on Terrorism that on December 7, 2004 when President Bush awarded the Presidential Unit Citation to Commander Joint Force South for combat success in Afghanistan, he was also recognizing the secretive Canadian Joint Task Force 2 commando counter-terrorism unit.
The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded 30 Bronze Star medals for
heroism in combat to Canadian Forces personnel. Some of those 30 died in action.
Many of the others were wounded. These Canadians earned this American medal for heroism fighting alongside Americans. When we recall our own dead heroes, we must remember that these warriors gave their lives not only for Canada, but also for the United States.
Canada is more than a neighbor. It is a close family member with the gumption to disagree with its brother to the south but always there when disaster strikes and America needs help. For that, I salute you, Canada, and extend my respect for the sacrifices given by members of the Canadian Forces.
When we blindly adopt a religion, a political system, a literary dogma, we become automatons. We cease to grow. - Anais Nin
"Hear, all ye good people, hear what this brilliant and eloquent speaker has to say!"
It takes more than goodwill and genorosity to fight for your neigbour and die for them I salute the fallen members!!For that, I salute you, Canada, and extend my respect for the sacrifices given by members of the Canadian Forces.
A grain of wheat eclipsed the sun of Adam !!
They didn't. They fought and died in keeping Canada's Word. They found and died for us, for Canada.
Chimo
Sir,
I agree. They fought and died to uphold the honor of Canada and to upkeep the word Canada gave for their neigbour, the US.
I think I made myself more clear this time.
A grain of wheat eclipsed the sun of Adam !!
Love this post! Thank you Amled for posting it, I just learned a few more things about what my country is doing for its neighbour to the south.
I heard about this a few weeks ago. I really like his speech. I know as a Canadian, I do not always agree with American politics or the ways they act abroad. However, we share this continent, and we have one the most unique relationships in the World.
While he compares us to an Uncle. I compare us to Brothers. Brothers will sometimes fight each other, beat the crap out of each other, but when one is in trouble, the other will always fight tooth and nail to protect his brother.
The Bumper sticker that was created after 9/11 makes me proud not only to be a Canadian, but makes me proud to have the US as a brother..
"United we stand, on Guard for thee" Whith an American/Canadian merged flag.
its time that the canadians realise that a professional and well trained army will serve them well to protect their intrests all over the world.i had come across canadian officers at the staff college and in un missions who were yearning to lead a proffesional bunch .for us in the third world the boundary between the us and canada are blurred . i admire canada as a modern and just nation with a strong sense of equality, but like a lot of my country men i am disappointed at the kanshika trial and attitude of the canadian govt.
Brothers is a good term. Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand are all brothers of a sort. Add in the mother country and we have toppled tyrants across the globe, and for the US and UK been that tyrant at times.
Not just you and your people, Colonel. The entire Air India affair was a walking disaster of police and judicial incompetence of unbelievable proportions.
Chimo
Jitty,
Canada is a land of many amazing paradoxes!
But a very picturesque country nonetheless.
"Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination."
I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.
HAKUNA MATATA
sir,
i agree.i have read so much about canada admired its people and the country.unfortunately, i have not been to that part of the world. will make it before its toolate.intend taking a coast to coast train.and hopefully before bc becomes brown/ yellow!
jitty
Colonel,
That is not going to happen - the mosquitoes will turn you white first.
Chimo
I definitely think that brothers is the best comparison; considering the arguments my brothers and I engaged in, and our fierce fraternity when one of us was challenged. I have four little boys now, and they fight like crazy, but please, don't let somebody threaten any one of them... not to mention their little sister!
Can you elaborate on that? Why are you disappointed in one of our trials? Theres nothing wrong with our government, you'll just have to elaborate on that or be more specific.
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