"WE ARE THE FALLEN" by Frank N. Boosamra

In the name of freedom and to save a land,

We, the sons & daughters take the stand.
We give our lives & souls on a distant shore,
To that hell on earth, a place called war.
We are the fallen.
We die in flight, at sea, and on land,
Our blood seeps deeply into foreign sands
On our left and on our right, The faces of comrades we’ll lose this night.
We are the fallen. A sea of youth, faces frozen in fear,

What vile work of man has brought us here?

In a far greater power, we each put our trust,

To not die here by the bayonet’s thrust.

We are the fallen.

The stench of death, sickly and profound,

More souls leave the earth, with each fired round.

In this theatre of horror, we console one another,

Mournful wails of the dying, crying out for their mother.

We are the fallen.

Visions of home flash though the mind,

A place of love and peace, when the world was kind.

Of friends and family and a children’s’ park,

Where death was not concealed by dark.

We are the fallen.

Medics shred clothing to expose a wound,

Heads bow at the image of impending doom.

The appetite of war claims another young life,

Leaving in its wake a child and a wife.

We are the fallen.

As this battle ends and the air does clear,

A desperate hope the final end is near.

The ghosts of lives past, each someone’s love,

The anguished souls of the brave have drifted above.

We are the fallen.

The fighting has ended, we, the dead, not there,

But from our place of eternal rest, we are fully aware.

We wish peace on earth to all mankind

To spare the sons & daughters we leave behind.

We are the fallen

written by Frank N. Boosamra, CD1
November 11, 2006

"PROUD OF YOU" BY HOLLY McNEIL

~PROUD OF YOU~

Written by Holly McNeil

In good times and in bad you always stand tall,
You show your best--the best of all.
As you left port my heart went too--
Although I was scared, I was proud of you.

Apart we were for many days,
As you were sailing over oceans of waves.
It was hard to be alone for months without you--
Because inside, I carried a bundle to be wrapped in blue.

I wished every day--your safe return--
As you kept ship from bow to stern.
Months had gone by and Christmas had come.
But you--your job was not yet done.

I prayed that you would return for the special day.
The day that our precious baby boy came our way.
My dream had finally come true--
We were soon to be reunited--the days numbered to a few.

To the Persian Gulf, you made your last call of duty.
Now you are in my arms--the man I love so truly.
But it is no longer just us two--
Therefore, we are so proud of you.

An Australian Definition of a Canadian

You probably missed it in the local news, but there was a report that someone in Pakistan had advertised in a newspaper an offer of a reward to anyone who killed a Canadian - any Canadian.

An Australian dentist wrote the following editorial to help define what a Canadian is, so they would know one when they found one.

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"A Canadian can be English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek. A Canadian can be Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian, Asian, Arab, Pakistani or Afghan. A Canadian may also be a Cree, Métis, Mohawk, Blackfoot, Sioux, or one of the many other tribes known as native Canadians.

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A Canadian's religious beliefs range from Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu or none. In fact, there are more Muslims in Canada than in Afghanistan. The key difference is that in Canada they are free to worship as each of them chooses. Whether they have a religion or no religion, each Canadian ultimately answers only to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God.

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A Canadian lives in one of the most prosperous lands in the history of the world. The root of that prosperity can be found in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms which recognize the right of each person to the pursuit of happiness.

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A Canadian is generous and Canadians have helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need, never asking a thing in return. Canadians welcome the best of everything, the best products, the best books, the best music, the best food, the best services and the best minds. But they also welcome the least - the oppressed, the outcast and the rejected. These are the people who built Canada.

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You can try to kill a Canadian if you must as other blood-thirsty tyrants in the world have tried but in doing so you could just be killing a relative or a neighbour. This is because Canadians are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, can be a Canadian."

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- Written by an Australian Dentist

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Then pass it around again.
It says it all, for all of us 'Keep your stick on the ice'

Just call this town Big Red

Bridgewater wants to host giant rally to support troops

David Mitchell, a Bridgewater town councillor, is hoping to be immersed in a sea of red shirts on May 23 when his town hosts a Red Rally in support of Canadian Forces members.

BRIDGEWATER — David Mitchell is hoping that his town will be the talk of the country on May 23, when people don their red shirts to host what could be the biggest Red Rally that Canada has ever seen.

"My goal is for this to be the top news story coast to coast that day," the town councillor said Saturday of the event in support of Canadian Forces members serving in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

"It would be really nice to broadcast some good news here by showing how much support the troops have for what they are doing, instead of just broadcasting funerals."
The inspiration for the event, which Jeff Hutcheson of CTV News will host at the South Shore Exhibition Grounds, came last May, when Mr. Mitchell and Mayor Carroll Publicover heard Rick Hillier speak at a conference.

Mr. Mitchell said they were both so moved by what the outgoing chief of defence staff said that they decided to invite him to Bridgewater.
"It elevated this event so much to have him come because his message is something you don’t forget, and I’m so glad to be able to share that," he said. "We want this to be the biggest rally in support of the troops, but we are also hoping that it will be different from the others that have been held, too."

Mr. Mitchell said planning is underway but they already have 1,000 people confirmed for the parade, which will include a colour party of 120. The local Royal Canadian Legion is involved as well.

Members decided this weekend they would break tradition for that one day and step aside to allow uniformed soldiers to lead them in the parade.
Prime Minister Steven Harper is not able to attend, due to a prior commitment, but Mr. Mitchell said Defence Minister Peter MacKay will be there, along with MPs from across the country.
The organizing committee has also received numerous letters of support, including one from Wayne Gretzky and another from Prince Harry’s office.

By RENEE STEVENS

The Chronicle Herald, NS

Tue. Apr 29 - 5:38 AM

A RETIRED SOLDIER SAYS...

'Canadians have not earned the right to share our grief'

National Post Thursday, April 27, 2006

As a retired member of the Canadian Armed Forces, I'm disturbed by the media frenzy and the artificial public outcry over the government's decision to restrict the media from CFB Trenton for the arrival of Canadian war dead.

I fully support this decision, and I am ashamed of my fellow Canadians. For the past dozen years, when the Liberals were decimating the Canadian military, there was no public outcry. There was no media frenzy. You did not care. Canadians have -- due to their self-centred, insatiable demand for social programs -- wilfully neglected the men and the women of the Canadian Forces and allowed the federal government, under the Liberals, to gut the Canadian military. And now the media and other pundits wish to share in the grief of the military families for their fallen ones?

Where were the public outcry and the media frenzy over the government's obvious agenda to emasculate the Canadian Forces? There was no outcry when the air force was arbitrarily cut due to lack of resources; no outcry that the army, cut to the bone, is now unable to survive on a modern high-tech battlefield; and there has been not been a word over the decimation of the once-proud Canadian navy.

In short, there has been no outcry that the Canadian Forces cannot fulfill its mission to defend Canada.The Canadian media -- and Canadians -- have not earned the right to share our grief. Shame on the Canadian media, and shame on Canadians.

Ian Parker, Carleton Place, Ont.

ONE AIRFORCE OPINION: Responce to "A Wounded Slodier's View"

People ask me Why would you want to leave the Air Force and Volunteer to go to Afghanistan. This Canadian Warrior says it well,

"Every time I see more soldiers killed over there a piece of me dies, and I feel the urge to return grow stronger. And each day I enjoy in my freedom here, I feel as though I have betrayed their memory. I need to finish my job over there. I need to go back."

Every time I see more killed or injured over there a piece of me hurts, Why should they go ....and not me......Why should they suffer, and not me .....because I'm in the Air Force and that's not my job?? I am a Soldier First......In this time that the CF is crying for Troops and requires more numbers for Relief. Whether Canadian's need to be there or not, those are not my decisions, it is not my place to comment. There are Canadian Soldiers there, and they need me, and others like me. They need the chance to finish their tours and come home and be with their families, they need the chance to come home and sit and do nothing, right now they don't have that chance as once this tour ends they know that in 6 - 9 months training begins again, and again over they go. But if Guys like me volunteer, then somebody, maybe just one person or one Section, one Platoon....Won't have to.

To all those who are serving now and don't agree with me....Why did you join? For a pay check? If our Veterans of WWI WW2 and Korea signed up just for a pay check we wouldn't have the freedom we have today. Now I understand that this is a different type of war but then we are still the same team, the Canadian Forces. Whether this war will stop Terrorism I can't say? Will it bring a new way of life for the Afghan People Hopefully....But What is Freedom? What does Freedom mean to you? Canada is a Free Country Right? Are our Soldiers Free right now to do what they want? Can they sit at home as I am right now without fear of being shot at? I am Canadian Soldier what allows me that freedom and not them? That's where freedom starts with me. I am Volunteering my freedom so that another Canadian Soldier that is having his freedom jepordized right now can have his back in Canada. I will pick up the Fight For Freedom of Terrorism, I will assist in the efforts of Freedom for the Afghan people. But When I get deployed to Afghanistan I will have won the battle on Freedom for at least 1 of my brothers in arms. He will have his family and his freedom returned in Canada.

Ubique

Once a Gunner Always a Gunner!

This is a post taken from http://www.army.ca/ of Injured Canadian Solider from the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry who served with the 1RCR

Gunner, I salute you.

FROM AN AMERICAN: "Thanks, Canada"

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 inAfghanistan where side-by-side the U.S. and one of its most loyal allies, Canada, engage there-emergence of the Taliban.

Canada is like a close uncle who constantly argues, badgers, and complains about what you aredoing, 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 manyissues, but our unique friendship has weathered world wars, global crises, and theever-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 thinagainst rising instability in both Iraq and Afghanistan, an ally that increases its troopstrength is inspiring and deserves our respect.
Katrina was another example of our close family-like relationship. Katrina struck the GulfCoast on August 29, 2005. Two days later, the Vancouver Urban Search and Rescue Team rushedfrom British Columbia, Canada to Saint Bernard Parish, Louisiana. In this Parish of 68,000Americans, 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 Louisianafought 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, HMCSToronto, NSMC Ville de Quebec, and CCGC William Alexander sailed to the Gulf Coast to deliverhumanitarian supplies. They stayed, working alongside U.S. Navy and Mexican warships, toprovide 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 roamedthe streets and countryside helping restore electricity where Americans had a unique experienceof running into workmen who only spoke French.

Canada took a lot of undeserved flak for failing to leap into Operation Iraqi Freedom when ouradministration sent us galloping across the desert. But Canada remains one of our staunchestallies in the war. When United States military forces were fighting up the highways inOperation Iraqi Freedom, Canada quietly increased troop numbers in Afghanistan and continuedNaval 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 theattack, the United States closed its air space and ordered every aircraft within our borders toland immediately at the nearest airfield. Canada immediately stood up an Operations SupportPost.

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 Forcesfacilities in Goose Bay, Gander, and Stephenville, Newfoundland; Halifax, Shearwater, andAldershot, Novia Scotia; Winnipeg, Manitoba; and, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

Canada rapidly mobilized its forces. Within hours, the Canadian Navy was on alert with shipspreparing 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. Canadadispersed CF-18 fighter aircraft to strategic locations throughout Canada. No politics. Nonegotiating. No questions. They were just there. Canada would have fought any adversary thatapproached the United States that day.

Canada has been such an integral partner with the United States in the Global War on Terrorismthat on December 7, 2004 when President Bush awarded the Presidential Unit Citation toCommander Joint Force South for combat success in Afghanistan, he was also recognizing thesecretive 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 toCanadian 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 werecall our own dead heroes, we must remember that these warriors gave their lives not only forCanada, but also for the United States.

Canada is more than a neighbor. It is a close family member with the gumption to disagree withits brother to the south but always there when disaster strikes and America needs help. Forthat, I salute you, Canada, and extend my respect for the sacrifices given by members of theCanadian Forces.

David Meadows April 27, 2006
Article from Military.Com USA

RED FRIDAY'S

RED FRIDAYS ----- Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Canadian who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority". We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. Weare not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions. Many Canadians, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of Canada supports our troops.
Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that.. Every red-blooded Canadian who supports our men and women afar will wear something red. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the Canada on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers.
If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long before Canada is covered in RED and it will let our troops know theonce "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.
The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you? Is...We need your support and your prayers. Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and wear something red every Friday.

Fellow Countrymen

With regards to the recent incidents resulting in Canadian casualties and deaths in the War on Terror consider this little story I received of late.

One of my sons serves in the army. He is still here in Canada. He called me yesterday to let me know how warm and welcoming people were to him, and his fellow soldiers, everywhere he goes, telling me how people shake their hands, and thank them for being willing to serve, and fight, for not only our own freedoms but so that others may have them also.

But he also told me about an incident in the grocers' shop he stopped at yesterday, on his way home from the barracks. He said that ahead of several people in front of him stood a woman dressed in a burkha. He said when she got to the checkout she loudly remarked about the
Canadian Flag lapel badge the cashier wore on her blouse.

The cashier reached up and touched the badge, and said proudly, "Yes, I always wear it and probably always will."

The woman in the burkha then asked the cashier when she was going to stop bombing her countrymen, explaining that she was Iraqi.

A gentleman standing behind my son stepped forward, putting his arm around my son's shoulders, and nodding towards my son, said in a calm and gentle voice to the Iraqi woman: "Lady, hundreds of thousands of men and women like this young man have fought and died so that YOU could stand here, in MY country and accuse a check-out cashier of bombing YOUR countrymen. It is my belief that had you been this outspoken in YOUR own country, we wouldn't need to be there today.

But, hey, if you have now learned how to speak out so loudly and clearly, I'll gladly buy you a ticket and pay your way back to Iraq so you can straighten out the mess in YOUR country - that you are obviously here, in MY country to avoid."

Everyone within hearing distance cheered!