Honouring those who served

Two news items have struck a chord with me today.

In Afghanistan, Colonel Geoff Parker of the Royal Canadian Regiment (my old Regiment) became the highest ranking casualty amongst Canadians who have served in Afghanistan.

In Conneticut, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is in the news over revelations that he had spoken of his time serving in Vietnam and of how painful it was to be spat at upon his return.  Only problem is that he never served in Vietnam.  He received 5 deferments and then joined the Marine reserves to avoid combat.

AG Blumenthal's spoken words are powerful and right on their merits.  It was inexcusable that young boys who were conscripted into a war received such treatment upon their return.  America has spent a long time coming to terms with how wrong that was.

Richard Blumenthal's pathetic atttempts to curry favour while campaigning in front of Veterans groups only serve to aggravate that injustice.  Before this he was the overwhelming favourite to replace Senator Chris Dodd as United States Senator from Conneticut.

His military history is not that different from mine.  I served as a reservist and never served in combat.  The idea of falsely claiming to have served in combat dishonours those who did serve and is so offensive that Blumenthal would be lucky not to get a punch in the jaw from a veteran who did serve. 

For those who see this story in partisan tones, I would ask how they would feel if it had come to light that Governor George W Bush had claimed to have served in Vietnam while campaigning for higher office.  How much would your blood boil?

Col Parker attended basic training in Gagetown at the same time i did but i did not know him.  A close friend of mine reported directly to him when he started his service in the Regular Forces.

These two news stories from either side of the border highlight the best and worst of our society.  There are those who serve nobly and make the ultimate sacrifice and there are those who lay claim to an honour they did not earn.  I will be attending Col Parker's memorial service.  Richard Blumenthal will drop out of the race if he has any honour at all. 

He is unfit for the office he seeks.

Prayers for Col Parker's family and his young children.