Received the following in an email. Has anyone else seen it on the quoted website?
One American's View.
This message was on the U.S. Military.Com website. You will find it quite
positive. It appears that Mr. Meadows knows a lot more about what our
military is doing than most Canadians.
AVAC
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 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.
One American's View.
This message was on the U.S. Military.Com website. You will find it quite
positive. It appears that Mr. Meadows knows a lot more about what our
military is doing than most Canadians.
AVAC
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 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.
