Midland-Penetaguishere Mirror

28 July 2010

In response to “How is the military helping our world?  By Jennifer Brock, Letters, July 15,” I am very dismayed by her comments.  While it is sad when young men and women die in combat, that is a reality for militaries across the world.  People have seen war movies (both fictional and documentaries), and I doubt anyone has delusions about what you do when you join the army: you may be required to kill or be killed.  Same for the Air Force and the Navy.  The photos we all see of the dead troops from Afghanistan, the ones with them in their desert pattern combat clothing with a Canadian Flag behind them; the ones that we see on the news every time one dies, are joking called by the members themselves, “death photos”, as everyone posing for those pictures know that that is the photo that will be on TV if they die.

Ms. Brock says, “If we didn’t have any soldiers, then we would not be able to have any wars, for who would fight them?”  Why don’t you tell that to the Israel, who have an army because the Palestinians have vowed to wipe the State of Israel off the face of the earth.  Are you kidding me that there will be peace in the middle east and in the world in general if everyone laid down their arms?  That would be a wonderful thing to happen, but welcome to the real world, Ms. Brock!  You statement is very naive.  I personally wish that there will be world peace, but that is not something that is going to happen any time soon.

The answer is we need combat troops: army, navy and air force.  Peace at all cost does not work.  Eventually you have to prove to your enemies or potential threats that you are able and willing to respond with force.  Either that or you just bow down to your enemies and abdicate your sovereignty.  Why do you think that there was no WWIII between the West and the Soviet Union?

Ms. Brock says, “It has always been my belief that war is not right. I think other ways should be tried first. I taught this to my children when they were young.”  This is noble but naïve.  Wars have waged for centuries and will continue to be waged, no matter how many times the “hippies” gather and chant “Give Peace A Chance.”

Ms. Brock says, “I think, also, that it is morally wrong for army recruitment officers to come to schools and try to snap up our youngsters. It would be OK if the military was used more for helping the world rather than hindering it, but I’m not sure that is the case.”  Have you ever read a newspaper, Ms. Brock?  The Canadian Forces has participated in numerous UN and NATO missions that assisted innocent civilians caught in armed conflict all over the world.  Have you never heard of The Red River Flood of 1997 in Manitoba or the Eastern Ontario-Quebec ice storm in 1998?  How about the recent earthquake in Haiti?  The Canadian Forces do a lot more that fight wars and kill people.  

I encourage you Ms. Brock to visit a recruiting centre and get the real information on the Canadian Forces, who do more than recruit trained killers, as you see them.  Besides not always fighting wars, the Canadian Forces also provides a free or subsidized education at either Royal Military College or a civilian post-secondary institution.  If you want to be, among other things, a doctor, mechanic, cook, air traffic controller, pilot, communications specialist, the Canadian Forces will train you at no cost, while paying you a salary, and guaranteeing you a job upon graduation.  You will note that not all these occupations necessarily require you to necessarily kill people.

Maybe  Ms. Brock you should visit her local legion branch or any of the numerous military parades and remembrances, including Remembrance Day, that are held each year.
 
 
Leading Seaman Bruce Forsyth, CD
Canadian Navy Reserve Retired