Canadian news from the front

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joerookery

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Paul sent me this -- he knows a lot about Navy stuff.
navy.jpg
 
Hey I am a bit confussed, isn't Canada a land locked country? Why would they have a Navy?
Gus
 
One American's View; David 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. It appears that Mr. Meadows knows
one helluva lot more about what the Canadian military is doing than most
Canadians and Americans. I trust this message will assist to improve their
knowledge.

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.


And that is what we are left with here.
Mark
 
Thank you Mark.

I first learned of Canadian Naval assistance in the aftermath of Katrina from Tony. Reporting on Canada's noble efforts was non-existent down here.

Despite what others may tell you, I have pretty broad sense of humor, but I have seldom been impressed by the fatuous and provincial contributions that repeatedly find their way to this forum. At least this drivel is now pretty much confined to the social and auction/show forums where it belongs, instead of dragging down scholarly threads (as in the past).

My Father once asked me if I knew the difference between humor and aroma. After I provided the "clinical" answer, he informed me "Humor is a shaft of wit, and aroma is a waft of sh*t."

Meaning no disrepect to the moderator corps who found that photograph amusing, but I think it stinks.

Chas.
 
Guy's- it was all meant in good fun

Paul and Brian have this thing going back and forth about Canada and the U.S. It started back at the last SOS and has just continued....

Paul has all the respect in the world for Canada and their armed forces and he would be the first to tell you that. He has served with them in the first two Gulf wars and again is over there on tour.

I think we all need to just loosen up and take it for what it was meant to be a Joke


James
 
Wow! That's all I can say. First I would like to apologize to my brother who posted this for me. I think the problem might be that some of us are friends like Brian and me who always go back and forth since a fun night at the SOS talking about history. Maybe we shouldn't joke with each other when some people don't know us. Those that do, know we have the greatest respect for each other and each others countries.

Most people would be able to tell by looking at the photo that it's not realistic. I might look at it and say, hey! Cool boat with a big gun. I want one.

This is silly,

Very Respectfully,

Paul
 
Like Paul said, WOW. I do stand by my comment that Canada is a land locked country, though. It is blocked from the Pacific Ocean by Hong Kong, from the Gulf of Mexico by the US and the Atlantic by Quebec. Of course, I do not count Hudson Bay, as it is ice bound 13 months out of the year.
Gus
 
I, for one, thought the joke was hilarious, and I thought it was meant in brotherly good fun. If it was offensive to anyone, then I apologize to everyone for my small part in it. I thoroughly enjoyed the information that Mark provided and I have never, ever doubted the bravery or sacrifices of the Canadian armed forces.
 
Come on Chas. This is a forum for collecting, not tongue lashings. I’ve stayed quiet for many of your admonitions, but I take umbrage with this one. Your comment that there was no news coverage on Canadian support is misguided or uninformed. Americans (and particularly those of us that have gone in harms way) are both aware and thankful of Canadian support. Certain members of this forum have served in combat alongside Canadian soldiers and were involved with the Canadian response inside the Pentagon during 9/11 much more intimately than David Meadows ( in case you don’t remember, Joe and I were in a meeting 50 yards from the nose of the plane and my office burned in the crash).

Service members have historically talked smack and grumbled. It is done in good nature and often to relieve pressure that those who have not been in combat wouldn’t appreciate. I have an idea; if you don’t like the drivel and the fatuous and provincial comments, don’t read them. And get back to collecting.

And further, meaning no disrespect, I personally don’t appreciate your “disrespectful” attack on a service member currently serving in a combat zone.

Thanks, I feel better.
 
Janet:

I believe you should ask Paul if I have ever expressed a lack of respect for him as an individual or as a man who wears the uniform. Furthermore, I think you are confusing "admonitions" with opinions. I thought the photograph was in poor taste. Obviously, I represent the minority. So be it.

Forgive me for not immediately appreciating this was a private joke between Paul and Brian. I don't see how I was supposed to divine that conclusion based on post number one above. Why not ask Mark if he got it? Additionally, I have no reason to believe Brian has even seen a word of this. It's an unique way to tell a joke.

ScrappyTexan said:
This is a forum for collecting, not tongue lashings.
I'm glad you're feeling better.

Chas.
 
Lets all relax. We are all great friends here. Sometimes friends get upset with each other. Chaz has been wonderful to me over here and has done some fun things that might even be a suprise for the forum.

Brian has seen the photo because I always send Canadian jokes to him first. Joe posted the picture at least a week after the e-mail to Brian.

It's all ok, no one died and no one lost an eye.

Paul
 
Well.......I guess, that I ah, sort of started this when I commented that we Canucks rule these days and "might consider" allowing the Le Brasseur Bros back into the Great White North or at least into their native province. At the time, I wondered if I might offend any of our Quebecois members. If so, I apologize, my comments were meant to be strictly of a humorous nature.
Paul, Gus and I have often exchanged good natured salvoes at each other regarding Canadian / US relations. Prior to this, I had already teased Paul about swanning around the Mid East guarding Rock stars and Hollywood starlets. I must admit, that I wondered about this picture. I knew the intent and I had no problem but it crossed my mind at the time about other people viewing it and taking offence.
Anyway, no offence was meant by either one of us. I would state in closing though, that an element of humour and fun are an integral part of this forum. Whether for good or bad, this is part of my personality. In the mean time, let us get on with collecting and the SOS! Brian
 
Well! Finally I am qualified to speak on this, as I believe I am the only Canadian commissioned officer in this forum. Every post I have made here previously was only an opinion. Finally......

Please allow me please to share with you all an e-mail I sent to Brian, Chas, R1, and a few others. Yes I am an Army officer, but I just returned from Halifax where I stayed for two weeks at the East Coast Fleet Naval base. In four words....... I had a blast! I never saw that little one that started this thread...... but I saw some fleet hardware!

halifax1.jpg


I love warships! As many know, I am building a warship from scratch and documenting my agony. http://kaisersbunker.com/pommern/ So I spent a full day one weekend walking around the dockyard at the Canadian Navy base in Halifax. It was great. I was able to walk right along side the Halifax class frigates. The Frigates HMCS Ville de Quebec, HMCS Fredericton, HMCS Charlottetown, and HMCS St. Johns were all tied up at the jetty. I have never been that close to warship before. This is the Fredericton below.

Fredericton.jpg


Fredericton2.jpg


Two allied warships were also at the dock, and of course security was tight. I was able to convince a Military Policeman to walk escort me down along the jetty once he found out I was an officer. The American ship was the USS Mahar and the German ship was the die Fregatte FGS Sachsen. I stopped off at the officer's mess for a beer on the way back, and my maritime day was complete.

One night a Navy friend set it up for me to meet with the Watch officer on the destroyer HMCS Athabaskan.

Athabascan.jpg


The WatchO (also a Captain like me) walked me through the ship for two hours. I asked to go as deep an dirty as I could, he took me right down to the bilge where the drive shafts are for the two Pratt & Whitney PW4062 turbofan engines, with 63,300lb maximum thrust which push the ship to an incredible 30 knots. Yes, those are the SAME engines as on a Boeing 747. I have always wanted to get on a warship. I toured the gun and missile systems, control rooms, you name it. It was fantastic.

I was in uniform for the tour, and what was really strange, is the way the sailors reacted to me, as an Army officer. In the Army, we live and eat together and sleep in the same tent as the vehicle. But these guys sprang to attention when I went near them and screamed "SIR". Must be a different situation in the Marine?

Yours, aye.... Tony
 
What a nice and wonderful and interesting post by Tony! In my entire military career I never was allowed on a naval vessel. I am envious.

Unfortunately this is placed in a thread where I was personally insulted. Issues such as these are always always always handled best when handled privately. Chas has repeatedly ignored my attempts to keep these private. Therefore:
Furthermore, I think you are confusing "admonitions" with opinions.
Your statement listed above is untrue. Similar to your Katrina statement it is misguided and ill-informed. I have received many of your admonitions. As though you had earned any right...

I used to not let this kind of stuff bug me but I led the
”calm and mediate” faction the last time, the time before that, the time before that, the time before that and during the big one. Last time I reduced my moderating and stopped participating in two forums.

The Canadian -- American jokes have been flying around here for over a year. Feigning a lack of knowledge and innocence does not in any way resonate. Unique way to tell a joke? Spare me. Ignoring the issue and saying “let's all just be adults and friends” has not worked in the past -- I will not be part of it in the future. Chas you are out of line.
 
b.loree said:
Well.......I guess, that I ah, sort of started this when I commented that we Canucks rule these days and "might consider" allowing the Le Brasseur Bros back into the Great White North or at least into their native province. At the time, I wondered if I might offend any of our Quebecois members. If so, I apologize, my comments were meant to be strictly of a humorous nature.
Paul, Gus and I have often exchanged good natured salvoes at each other regarding Canadian / US relations. Prior to this, I had already teased Paul about swanning around the Mid East guarding Rock stars and Hollywood starlets. I must admit, that I wondered about this picture. I knew the intent and I had no problem but it crossed my mind at the time about other people viewing it and taking offence.
Anyway, no offence was meant by either one of us. I would state in closing though, that an element of humour and fun are an integral part of this forum. Whether for good or bad, this is part of my personality. In the mean time, let us get on with collecting and the SOS! Brian

In my entire time here at Pickelhaubes.com I have never met anyone who is not honorable, nice, and selfless. Some are even eccentric? Gus? But the one thing I have noticed is that no one is mean. I have fun on this site and although at first, some people didn’t understand my humor, now most people know me and understand that I would never intentionally hurt anyone’s feelings. In fact, what most people don’t know is that I was born with a birth defect and was picked on a great deal. In second grade, my parents had it fixed (an eye thing) and all of a sudden everyone liked me. I have never forgotten this lesson and always stick up for underdogs.

Yes, my family has Canadian ties and my brother and I are very proud of that. In fact, because of our last name I am always asked if I am French and I say “no, I am French Canadian”. That is a very true statement.

So, I figure I have a right to joke about Canada because deep down I have a sincere love of the country.

Nuff said. Back to the fun and collecting.
 
Great pictures Tony and what a wonderful experence. I would be honored someday to take you on a carrier or sub if we ever get a chance but since I have become a "dirt sailor" I am seldom around ships. If you want to join me in Norfolk the week of the 26th, I will do my best to get you on a carrier if one is in port. I am sure that one is.

Paul
 
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