Something positive

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.