thought this was very nice of one of your Naval Officer

[Guest guest]

A Friend & retired Cdn Serivceman sent me this tribute written about our

Country.

    This is an amazing overview of the kind of Neighbour we are to the U.S.A., 

and we

     should all be very proud of this great land and its people.

The following words of a U.S. Naval Officer is but another reason I am proud to

be Canadian.

 

  

Someone  knows the score!!  A must read for  all....

One American's View - Meadows is a retired US Navy Captain

and  the author of numerous books and articles on military subjects.

This  message was on the U.S. Military.Com website.  You will find

it  quite positive.  It appears that Mr. Meadows knows one helluva

lot more about what our military is doing than most Canadians.  I

trust this  message will assist to improve their knowledge.

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., 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

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 ville, 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 be 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.  What an awesome Country you are Canada!

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