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The latest... On Friday, June 22, 2012, at Rideau Hall, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General presented Meritorious Service Medals to Canadian Forces members "whose specific achievements have brought honour to the Canadian Forces and to Canada." Vincent was included in the list of members. The citation read: Captain Vincent Lussier, M.S.M. Ottawa, Ontario Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division) As infantry platoon commander at Patrol Base Sperwan Ghar in Afghanistan from March to October 2009, Captain Lussier greatly inspired his soldiers with his determination during intense combat operations. Always willing to face enemy fire during successive engagements, he was able to give clear instructions that were instrumental in the success of his platoon’s mission. Captain Lussier’s leadership and tactical acumen helped to achieve remarkable outcomes on the battlefield. Read more...

Further to the following information... Vincent returned safely from Afghanistan in late 2009. Unfortunately his platoon lost one of their own towards the end of their mission. Since his return, Vincent has been working out of Val Cartier (Quebec City). My apologies for not keeping the website current. Life seems to get in the way. However if you would like to get updated information, you can contact me at: meikle[at]storm.ca or call: 613-833-1547.

Vincent Lussier is our son, brother, nephew, cousin, friend. He joined the regular Army in 2005, after he completed university. He then completed his preliminary officer training at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, and was eventually posted to Quebec City with the famous Van Doos(1). He was quickly promoted to Captain, and led his own platoon at a forward operating base (FOB) south of Kandahar. We were using this site to keep his family and friends informed of his activities, as well as posting related material that you may find interesting. (This shows latest material posted:) Salute to a brave and modest nation A tribute to fallen soldiers

Salute to a brave and modest nation (British newspaper salutes Canada) A Tribute to our fallen soldiers (Reprinted here is a remarkable tribute written by Irishman Kevin Myers about Canada's record of quiet valour in wartime. This article appeared in the April 21, 2002 edition of the Sunday Telegraph, one of Britain's largest circulation newspapers and in Canada's National Post on April 26, 2002.) Until the deaths last week of four Canadian soldiers accidentally killed by a U.S. warplane in Afghanistan, probably almost no one outside their home country had been aware that Canadian troops were deployed in the region. And as always, Canada will now bury its dead, just as the rest of the world as always will forget its sacrifice, just as it always forgets nearly everything Canada ever does. It seems that Canada's historic mission is to come to the selfless aid both of its friends and of complete strangers, and then, once the crisis is over, to be well and truly ignored. Canada is the perpetual wallflower that stands on the edge of the hall, waiting for someone to come and ask her for a dance. A fire breaks out, she risks life and limb to rescue her fellow dance-goers, and suffers serious injuries. But when the hall is repaired and the dancing resumes, there is Canada, the wallflower still, while those she once helped glamorously cavort across the floor, blithely neglecting her yet again. That is the price Canada pays for sharing the North American continent with the United States, and for being a selfless friend of Britain in two global conflicts. For much of the 20th century, Canada was torn in two different directions: It seemed to be a part of the old world, yet had an address in the new one, and that divided identity ensured that it never fully got the gratitude it deserved. Yet its purely voluntary contribution to the cause of freedom in two world wars was perhaps the greatest of any democracy. Almost 10 per cent of Canada's entire population of seven million people served in the armed forces during the First World War, and nearly 60,000 died. The great Allied victories of 1918 were spearheaded by Canadian troops, perhaps the most capable soldiers in the entire British order of battle. Canada was repaid for its enormous sacrifice by downright neglect, its unique contribution to victory being absorbed into the popular memory as somehow or other the work of the "British." The Second World War provided a re-run. The Canadian navy began the war with a half dozen vessels, and ended up policing nearly half of the Atlantic against U-boat attack. More than 120 Canadian warships participated in the Normandy landings, during which 15,000 Canadian soldiers went ashore on D-Day alone. Canada finished the war with the third-largest navy and the fourth-largest air force in the world. The world thanked Canada with the same sublime indifference as it had the previous time. Canadian participation in the war was acknowledged in film only if it was necessary to give an American actor a part in a campaign in which the United States had clearly not participated -- a touching scrupulousness which, of course, Hollywood has since abandoned, as it has any notion of a separate Canadian identity. So it is a general rule that actors and filmmakers arriving in Hollywood keep their nationality -- unless, that is, they are Canadian. Thus Mary Pickford, Walter Huston, Donald Sutherland, Michael J. Fox, William Shatner, Norman Jewison, David Cronenberg and Dan Aykroyd have in the popular perception become American, and Christopher Plummer, British. It is as if, in the very act of becoming famous, a Canadian ceases to be Canadian, unless she is Margaret Atwood, who is as unshakably Canadian as a moose, or Celine Dion, for whom Canada has proved quite unable to find any takers. Moreover, Canada is every bit as querulously alert to the achievements of its sons and daughters as the rest of the world is completely unaware of them. The Canadians proudly say of themselves -- and are unheard by anyone else -- that 1% of the world's population has provided 10% of the world's peacekeeping forces. Canadian soldiers in the past half century have been the greatest peacekeepers on Earth -- in 39 missions on UN mandates, and six on non-UN peacekeeping duties, from Vietnam to East Timor, from Sinai to Bosnia. Yet the only foreign engagement that has entered the popular non-Canadian imagination was the sorry affair in Somalia, in which out-of-control paratroopers murdered two Somali infiltrators. Their regiment was then disbanded in disgrace -- a uniquely Canadian act of self-abasement for which, naturally, the Canadians received no international credit. So who today in the United States knows about the stoic and selfless friendship its northern neighbour has given it in Afghanistan? Rather like Cyrano de Bergerac, Canada repeatedly does honourable things for honourable motives, but instead of being thanked for it, it remains something of a figure of fun. It is the Canadian way, for which Canadians should be proud, yet such honour comes at a high cost. Since this article, a total of 155 grieving Canadian families know that cost all too tragically well. (Kevin Myers is an Irish journalist and commentator, who currently writes for the Irish Independent. He is a former contributor to The Irish Times newspaper, where he wrote the An Irishman's Diary column several times weekly. Until 2005, he also wrote for the Sunday Telegraph in the UK.) You may wish to pass this on to any of your friends or relatives who served in the Canadian Forces or anyone who is proud to be Canadian; it is a wonderful tribute to those who choose to serve their country and the world in our quiet Canadian way.) Last soldier Killed: Sunday March 27, 2011 Read more... Canada's Fallen: List of soldiers killed in Afghanistan Read more... Fallen Canadian's : Department of National Defence Read more... A Blue Jay Ridge (this is were Vincent lived with his family) resident and former member of the Canadian Armed Forces flies the flag at half-staff each time we lose a soldier on active duty.

A few Pictures The Royal 22e Régiment (R22eR) News about the 2nd Battalion and other Van Doos News from Afghanistan in general Vincent's mother, Monique Some related Web sites Vincent writes the news Other military-related news (Fox news belittled the Canadian Forces, then said it was in humor, but got a lot of flack. Here is one Canadian's response.)

I add to this Web site from time to time... so please come back often for regular updates. - Patrick Please feel free to call me (613) 833-1547 or e-mail: meikle[at]storm.ca. if you have anything to add. Back to top

A few pictures Before the Army got to him Mom and son, November 2008 (Twin brother Emmanuel is holding her hand) Graduation Day, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Thursday, April 21, 2005 (Two references to Saint-Jean: 1. The town, 2. The Military College) Back to top

The Royal 22e Regiment The Royal 22e Regiment is an infantry regiment, and the most famous francophone organization of the Canadian Forces. The regiment comprises three Regular Force battalions, two Primary Reserve battalions, and a band, making it the largest regiment in the army. The ceremonial home of the regiment is La Citadelle in Quebec City, where the regimental museum is housed. The regiment is nicknamed the Van Doos, a corruption of vingt-deux, French for "twenty-two." The regiment's RHQ is located in Quebec City, with all three of its regular battalions stationed at various bases in the province of Quebec. The regiment serves as the "local" infantry regiment for Quebec. Click here for English Backgrounder. Click here to visit the homepage of le Royal 22e Régiment (R22eR). Once you get to the R22eR homepage, click on "les institutions du Régiment" (left-hand-side-of-page), from the pull-down menu click on "Le 2e R22eR" and you will get the information on "2e Bataillon du R22eR", which is Vincent's batallion. Back to top

News about the 2nd Battalion and other Van Doos Chopper crash claims two more Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan Van Doo soldier (Charles-Philippe Michaud) dies in Quebec hospital from injuries sustained in Afghanistan Van Doo soldier (Alexandre Peloquin) killed in an explosive device strike Soldier says Canadians oblivious to threat Grim beginning for Van Doos Deployment of the 2nd Battalion in Afghanistan Canadians prep for Afghanistan at Doña Ana Canada's Van Doos on Patrol

Chopper crash claims two more Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan (July 6, 2009) Two Canadian soldiers and one other coalition soldier died Monday in southern Afghanistan when the Griffon helicopter they were aboard crashed during a mission. Three other Canadian soldiers were also injured, though two have since been released. One remains in hospital at Kandahar Airfield. The Canadians killed in action were Master Cpl. Pat Audet, 38, from the 430 tactical helicopter squadron; and Cpl. Martin Joannette, 25, from the third battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment, both based in Valcartier, Que. The two soldiers were Griffon flight crew members of the Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our fallen comrade during this very difficult time. For more on this story, click here. Back to top

Van Doo soldier dies in Quebec hospital from injuries sustained in Afghanistan (July 5, 2009) A Canadian soldier who recently sustained serious injuries in Afghanistan passed away in a Quebec hospital yesterday. The deceased is Master-Corporal Charles-Philippe Michaud from the 2e Batallion, Royal 22e Régiment based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, near Quebec City. At approximately 9:15 a.m. Kandahar time on June 23, 2009, Master-Corporal Michaud was seriously injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near his dismounted patrol in Panjwayi District, southwest of Kandahar City. Master-Corporal Michaud was evacuated by helicopter to the coalition medical facility at Kandahar Airfield and subsequently moved to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Centre in Germany. He arrived in Quebec City on June 28, 2009 and succumbed to his injuries at approximately 2 p.m. EDT on July 4, 2009 in a Quebec City hospital. Master-Corporal Michaud was serving as a member of the 2e Batallion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group in Kandahar, Afghanistan. This was his third operational tour and second to Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our fallen comrade during this very difficult time. Master-Corporal Michaud lost his life as a direct result of his participation in operations to enhance security for the people of Kandahar Province. We will not forget his sacrifice as the Canadian Forces continues to work with Afghans and our allies to bring peace and stability to the region. (Source: http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/view-news-afficher-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=3025) For another reference from the Van Doo Web site, click here. News Story: Comrades gather at Kandahar Airfield to honour Canadian Cpl. Michaud, click here. Back to top

Van Doo soldier killed in an explosive device strike (June 8, 2009) A Canadian soldier was killed when an explosive device detonated during a foot patrol in the Panjwai District. The incident took place in an area south-west of Kandahar City at around 09:20 a.m., Kandahar time, June 8, 2009. Killed in action was Private Alexandre Péloquin from the 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier near Quebec City. He was serving as a member of the 2e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group. The soldier was evacuated by helicopter to the Multi-National Medical Facility at the Kandahar Airfield. The next-of-kin have been notified. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our fallen comrade during this very difficult time. While our ultimate goal remains to leave Afghanistan to Afghans, in a country that is better governed, more peaceful, and more secure; let’s not consider the tragic death of our soldiers as a failure of our mission as this is precisely what our enemy is counting on. Our collective efforts here are making a noticeable difference in helping Afghans reclaim their lives from oppression and despicable living conditions. (Source: http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/view-news-afficher-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=2994) For another reference from the Van Doo Web site, click here. Back to top

Soldier says Canadians oblivious to threat (26 Apr 2009, KANDAHAR, Afghanistan) The commander of the Royal 22e Regiment in Afghanistan says Canadians need to be reminded of why their soldiers are fighting in the war-torn country. "People shouldn't think that what's happening in Afghanistan can't affect them in some way," Lt.-Col. Jocelyn Paul recently told The Canadian Press. (Paul will lead the troops of the 2nd Battalion tactical group for the next six months.) The soldiers of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22e Regiment have been deployed at an important time in the international military operation in Afghanistan. Click here to read more on the story Back to top

Grim beginning for Van Doos (14 Apr 2009, KANDAHAR, Afghanistan) Canada's storied Van Doos bade a solemn farewell to an energetic young soldier Tuesday who "loved to smile," but whose death two weeks into her first tour of duty served as a grim beginning to the legendary Quebec regiment's latest stint in Afghanistan. Trooper Karine Blais, 21, was killed and four other Canadian soldiers were wounded Monday when their armoured vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb blast in the district of Shah Wali Kot, north of Kandahar. Click here to read more on the story Back to top

Deployment of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Régiment in Afghanistan 2 R22eR Battle Group (March 2009) Commander: LieutenantColonel Jocelyn Paul Regimental Sergeant Major: Adjudantchef Jules Moreau The 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment (2 R22eR) Battle Group is part of the MultiNational Brigade in ISAF Regional Command (South). Like the battle groups on previous rotations of Operation ATHENA, the 2 R22eR Battle Group was formed in Canada and prepared for this deployment through months of individual and collective training. Its duties include patrolling the RC(South) area of responsibility, suppressing hostile activity, and escorting road convoys. The 2 R22eR Battle Group consists of the following subunits: From the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment in Valcartier, Quebec: o Headquarters Company, o A Company, o B Company, o C Company; and o Service Company. R Battery from the 5e Régiment d’artillerie légère du Canada in Valcartier, armed with the 155mm M777 howitzer; C Squadron of Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) from Edmonton, Alberta, mounted in Leopard 2A6M tanks; B Squadron of the 12e Régiment blindé du Canada from Valcartier, mounted in Coyote armoured reconnaissance vehicles; 51 Field Squadron from 5 Combat Engineer Regiment in Valcartier; and Role 1 Health Services Support facility from 5 Field Ambulance in Valcartier. Click here to get the whole Joint Task Force Afghanistan information (in HTML format). Back to top

Canadians prep for Afghanistan at Doña Ana (January 2009, (Fort Bliss) El Paso, Texas) More than 3,000 personnel from the Canadian Army’s 5th Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group trained at Doña Ana Range Complex, taking advantage of the desert surroundings, dusty trails and mountain ranges. They included members of Groupement Tactique of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment, Click here to read more on the story Back to top

Canada's Van Doos on Patrol (August 01, 2007) Major Jason Langelier, the Rotation 4 (Roto 4) Force Protection Company (FP Coy) Commander, conducts his first combat patrol in the outskirts of Kandahar City. This combat patrol is the first one conducted by Roto 4 personnel from the Royal 22e Regiment based at CFB Valcartier, Quebec. Click here to read more on the story Back to top

News from Afghanistan in general One Canadian soldier (Nicholas Bulger) killed and five injured in an explosive device strike| Canadian soldier killed (Martin Dubé) in an explosive device strike 'Taliban hate our guts': Canada's top soldier

One Canadian soldier killed and five injured in an explosive device strike ( July 3, 2009) CEFCOM NR–09.017 OTTAWA - One Canadian soldier was killed and five injured when an improvised explosive device detonated near their armoured vehicle during a patrol in the Zhari District. The incident occurred south-west of Kandahar City at around 11:20 a.m., Kandahar time, on 3 July, 2009. Killed in action was Cpl Nicholas Bulger from the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton. The injured soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to the Role 3 Multi-National Medical Facility at the Kandahar Airfield. They are in good condition and under medical care. The identities of the injured soldiers will not be released. The soldiers were members of the Task Force Kandahar Headquarters. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our fallen comrade during this very difficult time. Members of Task Force Kandahar are committed to improving security and increasing development in Kandahar Province. Despite these cowardly attacks we are determined to continue working with our Afghan and international partners towards a better future for the people of Afghanistan. (Source: http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/view-news-afficher-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=3021) Back to top

Canadian soldier (Martin Dubé) killed in an explosive device strike CEFCOM NR–09.015 - June 14, 2009 OTTAWA– OTTAWA– A Canadian soldier was killed as a result of an explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED). The incident occurred in the vicinity of Panjwayi District, approximately 20 km southwest of Kandahar City at around 12:30 p.m., Kandahar time, June 14, 2009. Killed in action was Corporal Martin Dubé from the 5e Régiment de genie de combat based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier near Quebec City. He was serving as a member of the Joint Task Force Headquarters. Corporal Dubé was responding to a call to neutralize two IEDs when one of them exploded. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our fallen comrade during this very difficult time. While our ultimate goal remains to leave Afghanistan to Afghans, in a country that is better governed, more peaceful, and more secure; let’s not consider the tragic death of our soldiers as a failure of our mission as this is precisely what our enemy is counting on. Our collective efforts here are making a noticeable difference in helping Afghans reclaim their lives from oppression and deplorable living conditions. (Source: http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/view-news-afficher-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=3003) Back to top

'Taliban hate our guts': Canada's top soldier (May 8, 2009) KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — Villagers in a Taliban-controlled area west of Kandahar City are applauding last week's drawback of Canadian and Afghan troops, saying the presence of coalition forces in their communities had only complicated their lives. "The Taliban hate our guts," noted Chief of Defence Staff Walter Natynczyk. "So if we're in there, the Taliban will come. You have the Taliban who can move into some areas and intimidate people, which makes it very hard on them. (PHOTO: Gen. Walter Natynczyk, Canada's Chief of the Defence Staff, addresses soldiers at a forward operating base during his first visit with Canadian troops in Kandahar Province in Afghanistan on July 9, 2008. (THE CANADIAN PRESS / Stevo J McNeil) Click here to read more on the story Back to top

This is Vincent's mother Monique... taken with her nephew Guillaume. We lost Monique to cancer on January 30, 2009 You can learn more about her here. Back to top

Some related Web sites (Click on the white links) Canadian Expeditionary Force Command - CEFCOM deploys task forces around the world to carry out military operations ranging from humanitarian aid through peace support to combat. Task forces are made up of maritime, land, air and special operations forces selected and trained specifically for their missions. Fallen Canadians - This is the Canadian Forces Web site "Here we honour those who have given their lives serving Canada and helping the people of Afghanistan." French Page ( Nos Canadiens disparus - Nous voulons ici honorer tous ceux et celles qui ont donné leur vie au service du Canada et en aidant les citoyens de l'Afghanistan.) Canada's Fallen - Canadians killed in the mission to Afghanistan since 2002. From the Ottawa Citizen. Joint Task Force Afghanistan: - (This is a PDF file and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to look at it.) Joint Task Force Afghanistan comprises all Canadian Forces assets deployed in southwest Asia on Operation ACCIUS , Operation ARCHER and Operation ATHENA . Its established strength is 2,830 personnel, of whom all but about 15 are deployed on Operation ATHENA. This PDF also includes specific information on the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment. You can read about the specific deployment above. (Click Here.) Military Mom at Home - This Web site is from "a mother of a son who served in Afghanistan and has re-deployed - standing proudly behind him and supporting all the troops. I am here to hold a hand of, or lend a shoulder to other Military parents, families, wives and friends- as I too am a "Military Mom"- at home." Military Mom at Home - Showing posts for the Van Doos - This link, from the same Web site, offers specific references to members of the Royal 22nd Regiment in Afghanistan... including stories on some of the fallen troops. Military Family Resource Centre of the National Capital Region - The MFRC-NCR is dedicated to enhancing the quality of military family lives by the provision of unique services tailored to the military community. ( We will soon be adding information showing you how the MFRC is assisting families of military personnel serving in Afghanistan.) National Defence and Canadian Forces News Service - News Room, News Releases and RSS Feed. (Read the latest headlines from the Canadian Forces.) Facebook references - Facebook also carries information on the Canadian soldiers in general, and the Royal 22nd Regiment, the Quebec-based Van Doos in particular. One of the references includes a Tribute To The Canadian Fallen Soldiers. NOTE: You can also learn a great deal more about the Van Doos, present and past history by doing a Google search using the folowing criteria vandoos OR R22eR "2nd Battalion" (Take everything that is underlined, and put it in the Google search box.) Back to top

Vincent writes the news (When Vincent was initially posted to Quebec City, he was assigned to the Admin Officer position. As such he wrote a few articles about his regiment.) (Click on the white links) Le 92e anniversaire des Fêtes régimentaires - This is a PDF file. When you view it, go to page 17 and see the article in the right-hand column. It comes from the newsletter ADSUM Le journal bimensuel du SQFT FOI (EST) Région de Québec, dated le Mercredi 8 Novembre 2006. Une heure heureuse de Brigade à la Citadelle - Back in 2006 (24 November) Captain Lussier was Second Lieutenant at the time and was the Admin-Officer (O Admin, Compagnie commandement, 2e R22eR). A photocopy of the article appears on the right as it appeared in the 13 December 2006 issue of the ADSUM (ADSUM is Latin for "I am present" or "Here I am!". Back to top

Other military-related news Fox news belittled the Canadian Forces ...a Canadian military response

Fox news/Red Eye belittled the Canadian Forces... a Canadian military response (American Fox News (Red Eye) belittled the Canadian Forces during an episode that aired on March 17, 2009, then said it was in humor, but they got a lot of flack. Here is a response from a Peter Salter. He sent this letter to the Fox Televison Network Red Eye Show. Dear Mr.Gutfeld, As a Canadian, I find your lame duck apology for your despicable comments on Canada 's military to be totally inadequate. Perhaps you and your ignorant, redneck audience would find the following to be just as humourous should you care to share it with them, which I don't imagine you will. Your comments and those of your "commentators" were not only an insult to the men and women of the Canadian armed forces but also demonstrate once again the appalling arrogance and ignorance of Americans such as yourself. Let's take a quick look at American military prowess as seen from a non-American standpoint. Invade Canada because they have no army? You tried that back in 1812 and got your American butts kicked. The only significant battle that US forces won in that war was the Battle of New Orleans which was actually fought several weeks after a peace treaty had been signed in Europe . And even in this battle, your Old Hickory (was that a reference to his head) depended on the support of a French pirate and his men who betrayed the British. How's that for an amusing play on Andy's nickname? Actually, when it comes to winning wars on your own, the only one you can lay claim to is your Civil War, which Americans of one side or the other pretty well had to win, didn't they? In the Revolutionary War you had the French to help you. In the Spanish American War, you had the local indigenous populations to help you. Are you finding this amusing? You largely took a pass on World War One until it was three quarters over and then sent only a token force most of whom saw no action before the spring of 1918. Canada, by contrast put 10% of its entire population in uniform and these men were invariably given the most difficult objectives which they always achieved, unfortunately with the loss of a full 10% of its force - that's killed, not just wounded. And who were your great heroes? Eddie Rickenbacher who managed to shoot down a total of 26 enemy aircraft in about the same amount of time that the Canadian ace, Billy Bishop, shot down 72. Where did your guys learn to fly? Then there was that hillbilly hick from Bear Creek Hollow, Tennessee named Alvin York. What the hell kind of name is that for a soldier? Alvin 's a bloody chipmunk's name! Am I being funny yet? Of course in World War Two you Americans jumped in when it had only been going on for two years and a quarter years, but you made up for it by taking all the credit. Again, it was mainly the Canadian forces who took the brunt and who were given the toughest assignments in areas like the Italian campaign and at Normandy . Why do we never hear anything from Hollywood about what the Canadians achieved at Juno Beach, generally regarded by most historians, other than Americans, as a tougher objective than Utah or even Omaha Beaches ? Why don't you American know that the Canadian Division was held back from entering Rome on June 6, 1944 so that Georgie Patton's ego could be satisfied, his ego and propensity for slapping Privates being his two most outstanding leadership qualities. Are you bozos laughing now? "But we Americans won the War in the Pacific," I hear you saying. Yes, after the Australians and Chindits showed you how to defeat the Japanese at jungle warfare. Unfortunately, those lessons in jungle warfare seemed to have been forgotten by the time you got to Vietnam where about the only things American troops did were drugs and young Vietnamese women. Isn't this just hilarious? And now you're going to send an additional 17,000 troops to Afghanistan where, given your extremely limited success in Iraq (another war you don't seem to be capable of winning), it's just possible that the Canadian and other lesser UN forces there may feel they would be better off without. You Americans are just a laugh a minute! No wonder the rest of the world loves you so much! As I suggested at the outset, I doubt if this will be shared with your audience (which, by the way, doesn't and never will include me), but if you do, I'm sure you will all take it in the humorous vein in which it is intended. Excuse me now while I extract my tongue from my cheek. Peter Salter - A justifiably proud Canadian Related Links: Fox News host apologizes in face of Canadian outrage (NOTE: Under the "Video" section of this site, you can see the Fox News item.) (If you do a Google search with all of the following words, you will find several other references to this item: "fox news red neck insults canadian armed forces") You may or may not agree with Salter's missive... for other comments, for and against this "letter" you can do a Google search on <"Peter Salter" fox news> or check out 50Plus.com by clicking here or by checking out the LiveLeak site by clicking here. Back to top

(Please let me know if you find any broken links.) meikle[at]storm.ca

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