To the editor:
This Nov. 9 will mark the 22nd anniversary of the tearing down of the Berlin Wall.
It was a historic event signaling the end of the Cold War, which affected several generations of Canadians between the years 1946 and 1989. During this epoch there were military personnel serving with NATO overseas for whom the war was an ever present danger.
However, there were many more Canadians who served in Canada in the interest of national survival. These men and women were members of the Canadian Armed Forces both regular and reserve as well as police forces and NGOs. While Canada has recognized the efforts of Canadians who served outside of our borders during the Cold War, it has not yet recognized those who served only in Canada during this period of time.
A proposal for a Defense of Canada 1946-1989 medal to acknowledge these people was introduced in the previous parliament by Ms. Carol Hughes, who is MP for Algoma-Manitoulin- Kapuskasing, supported by our local MPs John Rafferty and Bruce Hyer. I am informed that she will reintroduce this bill during this session. It enjoys the backing of the NDP caucus and was endorsed by the Royal Canadian Legion at their 2008 Dominion Convention.
In the spirit of inclusion, we must give recognition to the Cold War veterans who only served in Canada. Time is of the essence given that the oldest veterans eligible for the medal would be more than 80 years of age.
I urge Canadians who support these Canadian Cold War veterans to write a letter to our local MPs. During Remembrance Week, let us recall those who served and were prepared to give their lives to save Canadians had the Cold War erupted into a nuclear war. Our military should be about the defense of Canada. This is exactly what these volunteers did.
Fred Johnson,
Thunder Bay
