[Robert Dabkowski]

Bruce, its hard to make a mistake when the message is, "The museum is gone. Whats left is a half dozen transport containers and concrete pads where the buildings used to be". Forgive my loose quote but it sounds like TOTAL OBLITERATION to me. And this is NOT the case.

Had you ever visited the museum previously ? Not in a recognizable form ? Of the 5 tank hangers, "H" hut HQ and two storage sheds, two of the hangers are gone. A third which was never actually used by the Museum because it held Base "Married Quarters" furniture will replace both of the demolished units as one was only 10% used for the Hetzer restoration, the other 70% full as vehicle storage. AND an aircraft hanger has been added. In fact, NOTHING MUCH HAS CHANGED except that approximately Cdn$1/2 million of Base funds have been spent of refurbishing Museum buildings over the last three years.

Disgusting indeed.

There was no public notice because the Base only received one weeks (yes 1) notice themselves. One week to decide which buildings were to go, take bids, sign contracts, arrange the containers, move artifacts and demolish the rotten old carcasses.
Orders from DND in Ottawa are ORDERS not an invitation to politely debate an issue. A good weeks work in my opinion. And as a civil engineer and full time building inspector I can assure you that the two hangers were NOT worth the cost of saving. The Base didn't want the tanks out in the rain but with no time and nowhere else to put them, thats where they ended up ... just like the 58 previous YEARS. Maybe another month in the rain will destroy them but I doubt it. They'll certainly take it better than the uniforms/medals/firearms/photographs/paintings/books/etc. would do.

Don't get mad at the Base. Get on the phone to your Liberal Member of Parliament to demand more museum funding. The new Canadian War Museum (good for Liberal photo oportunities and vote-getting) has dragged in almost twice its initial cost because of the political decision to build it on polluted ground so now funding for other museums is drying up (not enough funds to hire Group Action from Quebec).

Were it not for many dedicated Base Commanders and a legion of ex-servicemen/women there would be no more museums on Canadian Forces Bases. The Liberals don't see enough votes in the issue to extend the funding to preserve our country's history. And indeed, do the taxpayers care ? Not sure but I continue to volunteer at the Museum in the hope that they do/will. I would NOT however leave my own restored ex-military vehicles to the less than tender care of the current government.

Be assurred that there is an ongoing scramble for funds and that our Museums COULD disappear for political reasons at almost any time. The military would be sad to see them go but if funds get too tight, $ will be spent to keep the troops alive rather than to preserve history.

When the next election comes around remind your friends what Cdn$2 BILLION could have done for museums instead of being wasted on the firearms registry. The Bluenose Foundation ripped off. Today's Auditor Generals Report on wasted taxpayer dollars at our country's airport etc etc etc. We need new management.