[Robert Bergeron]

Gents, Ed and Rob,

I was kind of wondering if my posts were ever read. I know now that they are.

Upon further tought and after reading your posts , my opinion is that disposing of one's collection of Canadian war artefacts is a personal and individual matter.

Medals and awards are privileges awarded by and for Her Majesty.

In the strict and legal sense, they belong to Her Majesty , as any title , rank or appointment.

I have donated 12 fully dressed and equiped and armed mannequins representing 20th century canadian soldiers of different periods to the local Legion Museum. One of my friends ( André ) hase donated up to 12 fully operational CMP trucks and armored vehicules to the Canadian War Museum and another ( Renald ) his whole Ross rifle collection. It was the most complete collection in Canada. My ongoing project is to donate a working MK 2 Carrier to the same Museum as a center showpiece . The only thing i ask in return is that my name and rank be handpainted on the driver's side armour in 1/2 inch letters. That would be more than M. André Gibeau had from the War Museum. When he asked that his donations be named they refused because it was not initially in the donation conditions. A shame.

Without such donations our Museums would be without important artefacts for future generations.

Then there is the matter of pay scale. I am a specialist officer and the above mentioned friends are in the same pay scale category in the civilian world , so it is more easy for us to donate . But still , i am of the opinion that it should be encouraged.

As far as stripping a member of his awards and medals goes , well , it is up to Her Majesty to decide and yank back what she has given. A dishonorable discharge is what it is : Dishonorable. If you commit murder ( Ex Col Russel Williams ) Her Majesty can yank back without a second tought what she as awarded you but only if you commited the offense while you were still serving. It is my opinion that if the offense was comitted later in your life , say after retirement then you should be left alone and most are .

As for the Order of Canada Terry, it is a civilian award and other rules and traditions apply. Lord of the Rings Black got his Order of Canada yanked and that was a political decision. Same when Chrétien refused his Lordship and he pursued and renounced his canadian citizenship.He then wanted it back to serve his sentence for fraud in a more comfortable and cozy canadian prison and a more leniant , better balanced Canadian criminal justice system.

One can't have it all. Have your cake and eat it. We must serve Her Majesty for Canada with honour and dignity for all of our lives or else relinguish our privileges.

These are opinions and please if we are to debate please be considerate and polite fellows. I am not looking for controversy.

Thanks.

Robert