O.K talked to a Vietnam Vet the Day after I posted this and asked his opinion,He said for Me not to worry about the U.S flag in the parade as it was not his F....ng Flag anyways after all He said He was a Canadian.
I guess theirs is not a unanomous desision after all.
The article came out and it did not state anything about the Flag controversy localy,but did say that the Viet Nam vets marched behind the st Johns Ambulance in the Vancouver B.C Parade.
If they were in My Parade, I would have put them up front with all the other Vets but without the U.S flag.
Regards
Jeff Davis

Why were they segregated (if that's the right word?) :( Thats not far from "ostracized"?

Why were they segregated (if that's the right word?) :( Thats not far from "ostracized"?

(hey ...is posting really slow the last couple of days, or is it just me :confused: )

Tidying up
 

In my last post, I left out a couple of words. The current Canadian flag is the only one I have known before this thread started. The Maple Leaf has always represented Canada to me and I would imagine most Americans. As you all know, we Americans are not very good at history and the signifcance of the coat of arms on the earlier flag would have been lost on us.
I do now understand the significance of that flag to you folks and I thank you for the knowledge.

Jon, my use of proper British English on this board and most all other non American boards I "belong" to is my little way of trying to respect other's cultures. I worked so many years both with and for Brits, Canadians Aussies etc. that it became natural for me to adopt their form of the language when we were together.
Mind you, I do forget to do it sometimes if I am in a hurry.
As well it is my contribution to trying to halt the export of the barbaric American version of English and American culture around the world which everyone seems to object to so much nowadays.


On a far more serious note, Karmen my thoughts and prayers go to you and your sister. I can only wish the best for both of you.
Bill

Yeah, it is a bit slow this morning, Karmen. I'll keep an eye on it. All else seems to check out.

To Bill Murray
 

Ah, Thank you for your kind thoughts Bill. Your words made me cry. Yes, it's really sad. My concern, and my love run deep and long. I'll be there for her as much as I can.

Geoff: Thanks for the feedback ... now I know its the forum posting thats glitchy, not my computer. BTW ... the last post I did in this thread posted twice. I had PM's this morning that came duplicated a few times over ... on repeated 12 times! LOL (don't click post/snd more than once folks, each click registers it seems)

Flags to die for
 

I'd like to weigh in on this issue.

Since CD's seem to be one of the criteria for commenting, I hasten to add that I do have one (29 years (CD and bar) and counting. Seven other bits of tin hanging on my chest).

Flags are nothing more than coloured rags... its the emotions they stir in us, the blood spilled for them, the hopes and aspirations of a people that they symbolise that imbue them with more than the needle and thread that stitched them together.

They can bring tears to our eyes (the Union Jack wrapped around a dead Canadian on Dieppe Beach) and revulsion to our souls (the swastika just about anywhere). We choose to serve under them, or not (our draft dodgers for example).

Like Geoff, I feel that the act of remembrance is meant to be inclusive. I was born under the Red Ensign and the German flag (Army brat born overseas). I have served under the Canadian Flag (always first and foremost), the UN flag and the NATO flag. I have had dear friends killed while serving under these same flags.

I proudly salute the flags of other nations because I am recognising the emotions they stir in that country's soldiers... men who were sometimes my grandfather's, father's and my own enemies who are now staunch allies.

Lead the parade with the Maple Leaf, include the flags of others who should be remembered. In all the rhetoric, please don't forget to remember.

:salute:

Mike

I'm never likely to forget or to stop reminding people now ... Lest We Forget ... We Must Remind sometimes. I really am glad to have this Red Ensign to remember too. Thank you Wizard.

:salute:

Karmen

Re: Wow.
 

I was reading through some archived newsstories from Nelson BC area and found this little story thats an offshoot of the (QUASHED!!!) "attempt" to put up a monument in Nelson to honour ( :eek: ) Draft Dodgers ..... heres the interesting little story ... and I say ... bravo to the Vets in Nelson who plan their own ceremony during that same time!!! YES :salute: !

CD?
 

I don't have a CD nor do I have a Long Service Good Conduct Medal, I guess I'm a bit of a screw up. I do have a 100% disabilaty pension plus an excepsional disability allowance.
The flag that I served under was the Red Ensign, it flew over our camps and headquarters. I was a strong advocate of the Red Ensign for our National Flag but the government of the day decided otherwise. I still have a Red Ensign for my burial but unfortunately the government has decreed that my Regiment can not partake in my funeral if that flag is displayed.

Re: CD?
 

Wow Art, I read what you just said, but I can't believe it :( Can there be ANY actions by anybody that would right this? There MUST be some way to challenge this??? Am I a naive idiot to think that the appropriateness of the Red Ensign for your (or any Vet who served under it) is appropriate ... todays regiment, though serving TODAY, is honouring a RED ENSIGN soldier when they attend and honor at a burial for someone who served under it.....

I'm sorry Art ... bottom line, thats just fukken insane!!!!!

Karmen

Re: Art
 

Sir, I hereby give you my solemn promise, witnessed by all here: if you go to your grave before I, you shall have a suitable escort, in battledress, and carrying your flag. The Regiment might be there under the flag of Canada, but I swear your Red Ensign will be there.

So Help Me God.