The North Wall Canadian Vietnam Veterans' Memorial located in Windsor, Ontario
In Remembrance of Canadians who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice while
serving In United States Forces during the Vietnam War
An example of this misrepresentation of service can be found at Neddy Bee's blog spot, (Note: Neddy is yet one more Ann Coulter fan surfacing since the infamous CBC interview, linking to this website to prove Ann Coulter was right in saying that the Canadian government sent troops to serve "in" The Vietnam War. Sadly these individuals do not seem to comprehend the United Nationa Peacekeeping Missions, Op Gallant, supervising the Cease Fire after the Paris Peace Accords.),where she uses, without permission,
a photograph of Canadians serving with the United States Marine Corp, at Khe Sanh,(taken from Charles Dowell's website)
who were flying the Canadian flag, as "proof" that the Canadian government sent Canadian Forces to serve in the Vietnam War.
It is not in dispute that the service of Canadians in United States Forces in The Vietnam War should be acknowledged by Canada and its people.
It is appalling that, in order to do so, this service and the lives of those who made the ultimate sacrifice while doing so, is continually mispresented by many in such an unforgivable manner in order to get that recognition.
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Following is the text of an email received today, March 14, 2008, from a Canadian Vietnam Veteran with respect to the above issues. I post this both for Canadian Forces and Canadians Vietnam Veterans who served with United States Forces in The Vietnam War as well as relevant Groups and Associations, so that it will known to visitors that the sole responsibility for the physical North Wall Memorial and its mispresentation(s) lies with the Canadian Vietnam Veterans Memorial Association of Windsor and does not reflect on the integrity and conduct of anyone else. It is my decision to redact personal identifying information as I have been aware for years that these sentiments echo those of many within the Canadian Vietnam Veteran community.
There are many things that the Windsor group has done, that do not abide by the original mandate of the Canadian Vietnam Veterans Memorial
What was once an honourable undertaking by (redact) and many other Canadian Vietnam Veterans and their spouses and friends has turned into something that is much less honourable.
I have not visited the Memorial in (redact) years now for I feel that with the great sacrifices made by Ed Johnson, Ric Gidner and Chris Reynolds to get us a Memorial on Canadian soil has turned into an "ego" trip for many of the Vets and associates in Windsor.
I don’t need to attend a "physical" representation of a Memorial to pay my profound respects to those fallen Canadians of the Vietnam War.
There is a Memorial that is built in my heart that I do not have to share with anyone and I will keep the memory of those fallen comrades alive in my heart and mind and it will always be done with honour.
