Forgive me the length but
This was sent to me by a friend in the United States, a retired Air Canada pilot and displaced Canadian, the length of which, I ask for patience but it says a lot about our cross-border connections. And Jane, yes, I bought TWO containers of peanute butter (without the darned icing sugar that mainstream companies put into their peanut butter...now to see if Missy Sarah will eat. Grandpa Jock has promised to make macaroni & cheeze, but like me, refuses to spend the money on Kraft Dinner.And here it is........................................................................ from Rosey, in Canada................
One American's View - DavidMeadows is a retired US Navy Captain. This message was on theU.S. Military.Com website. April 27, 2006
On April 22, 2006 four Canadian soldiers were killed in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb. Respects and heartfelt sadness go to thefamilies of those heroes who stand alongside the U.S. In the LongWar half a world away. While we focus on the war in Iraq, thefighting 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 unclewho constantly argues, badgers, andcomplains about what you are doing, but when help is truly needed, you can't keep him away: he's right there alongside you. Wehave a unique relationship with Canada. We have different politicalpositions 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 sincethe beginning of the Global War onTerrorism. In February 2006, without fanfare Canada, leading amultinational force combating growing Taliban insurgency, increasedtroop strength in Afghanistan to 2,300. With the American militarystretched 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 exampleof 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 thisParish 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-hourdays, going door-to-door alongside Louisiana State Troopers, rescuing 119Americans. 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 JointTask 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 humanitariansupplies. They stayed, working alongside U.S. Navy and Mexican warships, to provide aid to Katrina victims.
Katrina was not an anomaly ofour close relationship. When Hurricane Ivan devastated Pensacola, Florida in October 2004 Canadianhumanitarian help was there also. Canadian power trucks roamed thestreets 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 inthe war.
When United States militaryforces were fighting up the highways inOperation Iraqi Freedom, Canada quietly increased troop numbers inAfghanistan and continued Naval operations with U.S. Warships in thePersian Gulf.
I was at the Pentagon on9/11, stationed on the Joint Staff. During the early hours after the attack, the United States closed its air space andordered 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 theUnited States were forced elsewhere. Most landed in Canada.
Re-routed travelers andflight crews were hosted at Canadian Forcesfacilities in Goose Bay, Gander, and Stephenville, Newfoundland;Halifax, Shearwater, and Aldershot, Nova Scotia; Winnipeg, Manitoba;and Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
Canada rapidly mobilized itsforces. 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'sDisaster Assistance Response Team prepared to deploy from Trenton, Ontario.
Canada dispersed CF-18fighter aircraft to strategic locations throughout Canada. Nopolitics. 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 anintegral partner with the United States in the Global War on Terrorism that on December 7, 2004 when President Bush awardedthe Presidential Unit Citation to Commander Joint Force South for combat success in Afghanistan, he was also recognizing the secretiveCanadian Joint Task Force 2 commando counter-terrorism unit.
The U.S. Department ofDefense has awarded 30 Bronze Star medals for heroism in combat to Canadian Forces personnel. Some of those30 died in action. Many of the others were wounded. These Canadiansearned this American medal for heroism fighting alongside Americans. Whenwe 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 aneighbor. It is a close family member with the gumption to disagree with its brother to the south but always be there when disaster strikes and America needs help. For that, Isalute you, Canada, and extend my respect for the sacrifices given by members of the Canadian Forces. What an awesome Country you are Canada!
posted by RoseyP @ 8:56 AM
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