Be Proud Canada

[doughboy1956]

Be Proud Canada

This was on the US military.com website. It would appear that Mr Meadows, retired mustang U.S. Navy Captain knows more about what our military is doing than most Canadians.

Thanks, Canada

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, Novia

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.

David E. Meadows is a retired mustang U.S. Navy Captain and the author of numerous military thrillers. He recently signed a 3-book contract with Penguin Group. His ninth novel, DARK PACIFIC, is due for release September 2006.

Meadows has spent nearly 10-years at-sea on a variety of warships to include USS Gearing (DD-710), USS Perry (DD-844), USS Mispillion (AO-105), USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25), USS Spruance (DD-963), and flying off a variety of aircraft carriers. He has over 5000-flight hours with aircrew wings in three different reconnaissance aircraft (EC-121M, EA-3B, & EP-3E) and Naval Observer Wings in the EP-3E. He has served ashore in Rota, Spain; Athens, Greece; Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico; Bureau of Naval Personnel; London, England; Norfolk, Virginia; San Diego, California; Corry Station-Pensacola, Florida; the Joint Staff; and his last tour of duty was as the Deputy Commander of Naval Security Group Command.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Arabic/Middle East Studies with a minor in French. David Meadows has a MBA and a MS in National Resource Strategy.

[VermontHunter]

Re: Be Proud Canada

[ QUOTE ]

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.

[/ QUOTE ]

That right there says it all... and I agree whole heartedly, with everything that has been said in this letter....

Thanks for posting that,,, it's a very true and touching account of our relationship between Canada and the United States...

[Canadian_Goose]

Re: Be Proud Canada

Good post, I know I bicker with some of the boys in here but when it boils down to it our muzzles are pointed in the same direction if you know what i mean .