|
National: A time to reflect
Commentary by Jeff Burgar
for South Peace News
This November 11, Remembrance Day, is set aside to reflect on the heroes who gave their lives in the name of freedom.
That terrible things are happening is no longer sufficient reason for Canadian involvement. Most nations, Canada included, just don’t load up weapons and march, fly or sail off to any part of world where tyranny and oppression are the order of the day.
It boils down to politics.
This means argument. Persuasion. Appeals to the conscience and the heartstrings. Debate in open and behind closed doors. Usually discussion comes under the umbrella of groups like NATO, or the United Nations. That such organizations, especially the United Nations, are these days increasingly discredited in today’s world more than ever leaves most of us asking, exactly why are we putting our people in harm’s way?
The question was asked before. Cyprus was a place where people smiled at each other as they went about their daily activities while the sun was up. At night, under cover of darkness, they tried to kill each other and the Canadian soldiers sent to keep an eye on things. Massacres in the name of ethnic cleansing in other parts of the world, like Rwanda and Bosnia, happened under the very noses of peacekeepers. This while leadership thousands of miles away twiddled their thumbs.
Canada’s past top generals, Romeo Dallaire, McKenzie Lewis, and now Rick Hillier, knew exactly the job that needed to be done. Each has lamented the political landscape in which they were forced to operate.
Afghanistan is the latest example. From the get go, our men and women, as highly trained as they are, had little in the way of proper equipment. Even such basics as camouflage battle dress was lacking.
While many issues have since been addressed, many have not.
So another question has to be asked, if we are sending our people in harm’s way, why don’t they have the best tools possible to do the job?
Many of our people coming home from Afghanistan sign up for a repeat tour. This is a remarkable vote of confidence in our role. These people know what needs to be done. They must have a sense the job is doable.
Conflict. Oppression. Tyranny. It seems inevitable history will repeat itself someplace in the world.
It shouldn’t be inevitable that Canada’s politicians will wiggle and waffle their way around the issue and then will engage. It then shouldn’t be inevitable our forces, as determined as they are to do good, will be poorly equipped and poorly supported.
Remembrance Day is a time for reflection. It can also be a time to affirm a commitment to our forces. When we ask you to defend freedom, we will give you the best support any country can give you.
< Previous
Home
Next >
|
