Esprit de Corps back issues from March 2008:
On target? When the reputation of his troops is on the line, politicos had best beware The Big Cod as he will defend his troops--as all good leaders should.
Mar 01, 2008; ... At the end of January Parliament Hill was a full-scale tempest in a teapot as the Conservative government tried to explain some serious contradictions in its policy on Afghan detainees. Although Canadian soldiers had stopped handing over prisoners to the Afghans after allegations of ...
A medal for the wounded.(POSTED IN: Letters to the editor)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The award of a medal for those wounded in action? Yes, I believe those wounded in action should be awarded and this is why I think so. During the Remembrance Day service last November 11, 2007, I stood next to a chap who wore the same five ...
What's adequate?(POSTED IN: Letters to the editor)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2008 ... I read the Manley report and found the results predictable. I have not been able to monitor the feedback so I don't know what has been said to any extent. I normally find myself in agreement with 99.9 per cent of the positions [Scott Taylor] takes and I respect the degree of attention you ...
The Manley report infuriates.(POSTED IN: Letters to the editor)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2008; ... The recently-publicized report from the Independent Panel on Canada's Future Role in Afghanistan incited me to write this letter. Canada has done its fair share in the most volatile region of Afghanistan for long enough. Canada should inform its NATO allies, at every ...
In solidarity with Les Peate.(POSTED IN: Letters to the editor)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2008; ... In Volume 15 Issue 1 an article was written by Vernon Huffman of Burnaby, B.C. wondering why Les Peate is so angry at the U.S. war resisters running across the border into Canada. Mr. Huffman appears to think that these "Gutless Wonders," as those of us who have served overseas in battle ...
Unkempt Canadians.(POSTED IN: Letters to the editor)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2008; ... Two friends of mine came over to Canada and we were walking around the town centre when we saw some Canadian soldiers. My friends could not believe the soldiers were allowed to walk around looking like they had made no attempt to iron their uniforms. The solider's were a disgrace not only ...
Officer deserves recognition.(POSTED IN: Letters to the editor)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2008; ... I have just finished the article by Bill Beswetherick ("Police wrong to demand valour award for constable" Volume 15 Issue 1) concerning the suitability of awarding Cobourg police Constable Chris Garrett a posthumous Cross of Valour. In a word, I am appalled. Clearly the final ...
Industry's Afghan ultimatum: report calls for Chinooks and UAVs by 2009.
Mar 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For the political brain trust in Ottawa it was a move of strategic genius. On October 12 Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the latest twist in the Afghanistan discussion: He was appointing a panel to review the mission led by none other than former ...
Canada in Afghanistan: focus the message.(COMMENTARY)
Mar 01, 2008; ... THE RELEASE OF JOHN MANLEY'S report on Canada's mission in Afghanistan has cast welcome light on this important commitment. His most significant recommendation is for the prime minister and cabinet to take personal charge of the file, and convey to Canadians what is at stake and how the ...
Down from the mount.(COMMENTARY)
Mar 01, 2008; ... AND SO IT CAME TO PASS THAT Manley descended, holy words in hand. "Behold Canada! I will lead you to the promised land!" Conservatives in vast number bowed down and prayed. Liberals, woozy with indecision, sat and scratched their heads. New Democrats made loud utterances of derision, akin ...
CANSEC primer: will 2008 usher in a golden era for the defence industry?(EYE ON INDUSTRY)
Mar 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Every year around the start of April the military industry invades the nation's capital. For two days a crowd ranging from CEOs, lobbyists, generals, politicians, defence attaches, and special forces commandos strut through the foyers of the Ottawa ...
Board of inquiry into soldier's death.(INCOMING: Hits & misses)
Mar 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The remains of Canadian United Nations military observer Major Paeta Hess-von Kruedener were conclusively identified after being recovered from the ruins of the UN observation post located in the Khiyam area of Southern Lebanon after it was attacked by ...
Bowing under the weight ... of 35 lbs more bullets?(INCOMING: Hits & misses)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Last month the media reported on the allegation from a serving soldier that Canadian troops in Afghanistan are poorly equipped. Corporal Daniel Beaulieu's resume seemed very impressive: An 11-year veteran with the Royal 22nd Regiment, he had served a tour in Bosnia and has just returned to ...
East Coast soldier killed.(INCOMING: Hits & misses)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Master Warrant officer Michel Phillipe Frechette (pictured below) was killed in a car crash on February 13th while deployed on a brigade exercise at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Frechette had spent 29 years in the Canadian navy--ten as a submariner before he transferred to the militia in 2006 ....
Suicide bombers wreak havoc.(INCOMING: Hits & misses)
Mar 01, 2008 ... On February 18, four Canadian soldiers were wounded when a suicide bomber targeted a coalition convoy in the south Afghanistan town of Spin Boldak. Thirty-seven Afghan civilians were killed in the blast, which left another two dozen wounded. The governor of Kandahar issued a ...
The Big Cod vs. Rantman.(INCOMING: Hits & misses)
Mar 01, 2008 ... On Saturday, February 16, Chief of Defence Staff General Rick Hillier (a.k.a. The Big Cod) attended a small ceremony in a Toronto liquor store. The occasion was a presentation of two oversized cheques--valued at a total of $70,117.50--by the Canadian Iceberg Vodka Corporation toward the ...
Shadow soldiers: Mary Hoople: a pair of pioneer siblings were separated after their abduction by Delaware and Seneca warriors in 1780. More than 70 years passed before they were reunited. During the intervening years, the brother saw action in the War of 1812 and the sister became legendary for her compassion towards the enemy.(THE FIGHT FOR CANADA)
Mar 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In his 101st year, Jacob Sheets, tearfully exchanged war stories with the nephew he hadn't seen in more than 70 years. His recent blindness kept him from seeing John Whitmore's bittersweet expression during their emotional exchange that took place near ...
An officer and a lady: Canadian military nursing: more than 4,000 civilian nurses volunteered to serve their country in war.(SECOND WORLD WAR)
Mar 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This is the first of two excerpts from the book An Officer and a Lady: Canadian Military Nursing and the Second World War. Written by Cynthia Toman, the book was published by UBC Press in association with the Canadian War Museum in 2007 (ISBN ...
The Big Cod vs. King Kong!(AT EASE: Military trivia & humour)(Rick Hillier)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Ever since last October when he was officially named "The Big Cod" by his troops and Esprit de Corps readers, General Rick Hillier has been pitted against other superheroes to determine macho supremacy. In his first outing, The Big Cod destroyed Superman; the following month Esprit de ...
At ease: military trivia & humour.
Mar 01, 2008; ... So you think you know your military history? Well, think again! Each month we publish questions to test your knowledge as part of our "At Ease" feature, a collection of military trivia and humour. This month quiz master Les Peate has questions dealing with songs and alphabets ....
From trapper boy to fighter pilot: Gus Edwards leaves Nova Scotian coal mines for French skies.(THE GREAT WAR)
Mar 01, 2008; ... This is the first of two excerpts from the book Gus: From Trapper Boy to Air Marshal. Written by Suzanne K. Edwards, the book was published by General Store Publishing Group in 2007 (ISBN 978-1-897113-74-5, softcover $19.95). Hailed by one chief of the air staff as "the greatest of the Air ...
At last!!!(THE OLD GUARD: Veterans' news & views)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2008; ... I am pleased to say that one of nay longstanding gripes is being remedied. Veterans Affairs has announced the appointment of a veteran to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board. Our congratulations to Captain (retired) Edmond Maher of Orleans, Ontario. Captain Maher is a former military ...
A little late for the Valentines but ...(THE OLD GUARD: Veterans' news & views)(Valentines for Veterans)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2008; ... Veterans Affairs has again reminded us of the "Valentines for Veterans" campaign--originated by Ann Landers and "Dear Abby" in the U.S. and carried on successfully here for a number of years. Schoolchildren--and others--were encouraged to send "thank you" Valentine cards to local veterans ...
Another friend passes.(THE OLD GUARD: Veterans' news & views)(Ed Halayko)(Obituary)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2008; ... Capt. (retired) Ed Halayko had for many years served as National Chairman of the Armed Forces Pensioners/Annuitants Association of Canada. Ed was a WWII vet and career army officer with the Royal Canadian Signals. He had campaigned diligently and tirelessly for veterans' rights, including ...
The other lawsuit.(THE OLD GUARD: Veterans' news & views)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2008; ... The Supreme Court last month rejected a request by representatives of veterans' families to re-open the multi-million-dollar claim for compensation for mentally disabled veterans, who say that the government mismanaged their benefits. Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson ...
Job protection.(THE OLD GUARD: Veterans' news & views)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2008; ... Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Labour Minister lean-Pierre Blackburn have announced the introduction of legislation providing job protection and reinstatement for military reservists working for the federal government or government-regulated companies, who are called out for military ...
When I get out of the army I won't even join a Christmas club!(THE OLD GUARD: Veterans' news & views)
Mar 01, 2008; ... I frequently come across many news items in U.S. newspapers that I feel worthy of notice. One small item in USA Today caused me to think. At one time there were 26 Veterans of Foreign Wars clubs in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The last one is now closing. This made me ponder ...
An Ageless Company.(Book review)
Mar 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] An Ageless Company by John A. Robertson (major, retired), published by Trafford Publishing; 303 pages. ISBN: 978-1-4120-8442-0. Softcover: $25.95 (the book may be ordered at www.Trafford.com/06-0197) This book was brought to nay attention by an ...
Terror Threat: International and Homegrown Terrorists and Their Threat to Canada.(Book review)
Mar 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Terror Threat: International and Homegrown Terrorists and Their Threat to Canada, by Dwight Hamilton and Kostas Rimsa, published by The Dundurn Group. Includes 252 pages, b/w photos. Hardcover: $35.00. ISBN: 978-1-55002-736-5 Terror Threat: ...