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Veterans and Romeo Dallaire
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In 1994 I went on my first "Show Tour" to Rwanda. These Show Tours are shows with comedians, muscians and singers that go over to where Canadian soldiers are stationed and our job is to entertain them and bring a piece of home to them. Since that trip I have gone to Haiti, the base in the North Pole as well as Afghanistan twice. I have said it before but I'll say it again - I have the most respect for these men and women that for minimum 6 months at a time go over to - not the nicest places, with not the best conditions and make the best of it , all the while putting themselves in the line of fire. The have something I do not have - courage to the nth degree.
So last Friday, I was invited to participate in the Ste-Anne's Veterans Hospital Fundraising Golf Tournament. The hospital gives vets the proper care they need - that is the least the Country can do for them after they have served with honor and dignity. I was asked to speak and say a few words about all my trips overseas and what it means to me.
What I did not now is that general Romeo Dallaire was going to speak before me. In case you have never heard of General Dallaire - google him, read "Shake Hands with the Devil" - all you need to know is that he is no matter what anyone says (see Maclean's magazine a few issues ago) a Canadian Senator as well as a Canadian hero. He was in charge of the entire UN mission in Rwanda when all the shit went down. Also at the dinner that night were veterans from World War 2, Korea, Bosnia, Croatia and Afghanistan - 2 of which saw my shows at camp Julien in 2004 - very cool to see them back home - safe!
General Dallaire should think of being Prime Minister of this great Country one day - he his an honest, caring, devoted man that has seen the worst of mankind, yet still believes in how good we can be - as a nation and as a species.
I have said this before - whether you believe we should be in Afghanistan is something you take up with our politicians - but it is our duty to support the men and women serving. They need to know we think of them, and pray for them all to come home safe and alive! Wear red on Fridays until all the soldiers are home, put up a "we support our troops" ribbon on your car, your hat, your shirt - wherever! Let them know that we are on their side - and to all veterans remind them that we will never forget what they did in the past.
As I said that night in an era where children look up to athletes - who many of them are cheaters and entertainers - many of whom break the law as heroes - we have true heroes among us they are called veterans and soldiers! So as CSNY said "Teach your children well!"
LEST WE FORGET! |
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Mon - Sep 13
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Fundraiser
Baton Rouge Decarie |
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The CJAD Comedy Show
with Joey Elias
Weeknights from 11:00PM |
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