Van Doos Prepare for Afghanistan
| 5/12/2007 | Posted by Patti under Afghanistan, War on Terror |
The famous Royal 22nd Regiment based in Valcartier, Quebec are undergoing final training and preparations for deployment to Afghanistan this summer for the next rotation of Canadian troops. While the regiment is prepared and looking forward to taking a turn on the mission which has seen the first Canadian combat deaths in over 50 years, the political mills are abuzz.
Quebec is the province where support for the mission has been the lowest in the country. Some believe that once the Van Doos are deployed if they take casualties there will be hell to pay politically at home. Quebec is not a province that historically has been known for its sense of duty and service to the rest of the country.
While the Quebec based regiments are not near as plentiful as those from the other provinces, those that have been raised have served proudly and bravely alongside other Canadians. When casualties occur, as it appears is likely, it will truly do those men and women in uniform a terrible disservice if the province fails to rally behind their regiment, with honour and support for the completion of their deployment.
There will be a contingent of Quebec media travelling with the Van Doos when they are deployed and that, on the other hand, may well serve to provide Quebecors with an opportunity to understand what the mission is about. A clearer view may well serve to change perspective and attitudes.
It is over the Afghanistan issue that I have some serious issues with my own support of the Liberals. I find their insistence on a hard 2009 deadline for the end of the Canadian involvement in combat in Afghanistan arbitrary and irresponsible. If the security issue is still an issue at that time then Canada would be leaving before the completion of the mission. Something Canada has never done in our history.
Based on the current Liberal stance, Canada would have pulled out of WW2 after Dieppe claiming we had done our share. Regardless of the heavy lifting being done, the mission isn’t about ‘doing a share’ it is about getting the job done. Something Canadians have always done well.
I have no doubt the Van Doos will do their part well, I just hope the politicians at home don’t play silly bugger politics with their service.
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