A "message" from Message - Response to a recent RCL article: A Welcoming Gesture
LEGION MAGAZINE
86 Aird Place,
Kanata, ON
K2L 0A1
Montreal, 17 May 2008
Dear Editor,
I am responding to an editorial article under the ‘Views' heading on page 4 of the May/June 2008 issue of Legion Magazine, "A Welcoming Gesture". Please consider publishing the following text in the next issue of Legion Magazine.
FAR FROM A WELCOMING GESTURE
I am writing on behalf of myself and my comrades-in-arms in response to the "A Welcome Gesture" article in the May/June 2008 issue which explains proposed changes to the Legion uniform to accommodate Veterans. We are of the opinion that these resolutions are futile and unwelcome because they are only gestures, do not reflect reality, and are an insult to our flag-bearers.
We would like to point out that everybody in the Legion knows from experience that on commemorations and other official events that we veterans often wear something other than the current Legion uniform or a mix thereof. One needs only to look at pictures of veterans through back issues of Legion Magazine to confirm this.
Veterans will wear what they please no matter what regulations any organization they belong to may come up with. We wear what is most dear to us in regards to the element, unit, branch or corps, or multinational organization in which we served, and we dress according to the nature of the event we are attending. No person or organization should have the right to tell a Veteran how to dress.
We are appalled that the Legion vainly proposes to allow us to wear our headdress on official occasions but not as flag bearers! Need anyone be reminded that along with Queen & Country, a Veteran serves under the flag? So, as a United Nations Veteran, the Legion is saying to me that I may wear my Blue Beret at any time except when I am carrying the United Nations Flag under which I served along with the other 125,000 Canadian Peacekeepers? We submit that this is far from "a welcoming gesture" and is in fact an insult to Veterans.
Veterans will view this as a civilian imposed outrage, for we served, sacrificed and our comrades died under our flags. We have the right to salute our flags, and so also we have earned the right carry our flags under any circumstances. This "gesture" is guaranteed to loose Veteran Legion members, not gain any, let alone win over any of the existing Veteran's associations either.
Note to the Editor:
If this article is too long to print, please feel free to remove the second and third paragraphs.
Yours in comradeship,
Master Warrant Officer
Karl O. Morel CD (Retired)
archivaire@sympatico.ca
4478, avenue Laval, appartement 6
Montréal, QC Canada H2W 2J8
514-847-0025
514-333-2551
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Macdonald Realty 1st Pioneer, 22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC
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