Calgary’s “Support the Troops” rally on Saturday brought out about 300 patriotic pro-Canadian, pro-freedom and democracy, pro-common-sense supporters.
Seen at left: photo from front page of today’s Calgary Herald (Canwest Global). It’s the mother of a soldier who has returned from Afghanistan, and she said to the Calgary Sun (Sun Media): “He’s proud, and he’d go back in a moment.” The Calgary Herald didn’t report that.
First, this excerpt from the Calgary Sun:
Locals support continued Afghan mission
Flag-waving Calgarians took to the steps of city hall today to back the nation’s troops in war-torn Afghanistan.
Soldiers, veterans and politicians were on hand for the hour-long rally that saw about 300 people show their support for soldiers in a war drawing criticism daily.
Pte. Ryan Preston, fresh off a seven-month tour of duty in Afghanistan, was awestruck by the throng of supporters.
“It hits me and the guys over there when we see support, especially when you hear a lot of doubt and people wanting to pull us out,” Preston said.
“We are making a difference – it’s slow, but the people in Afghanistan will be able to walk around free like we do.”
After the rally, Preston shared a special moment with Abdul Haqyar, the vice-president of Calgary’s Noor Cultural Association, who heaped praise on Canadians for helping his countrymen.
“This is very important to me,” said Haqyar, who’s been in Canada four years and still has family in Afghanistan.
“People back home are suffering – the women, the girls and the poor – but with the help of Canada, it’s getting better.”
Conservative party leadership candidate Ted Morton was among politicians who addressed the appreciative crowd.
“When Hitler and fascism and when Stalin and communism threatened freedom and democracy, Canada was there, and now with global terrorism threatening freedom and democracy, Canada is there – and I’m proud of it,” Morton said.
“I want to thank the brave men and women who are sacrificing their lives for our freedom and the freedom of Afghanis.”
[…] The rally ended with a prayer with emphasis on taking care of soldiers overseas.
Sheila Skerry and her husband saw their soldier son, Brad, return safely from assignment in Afghanistan just weeks ago.
“He’s proud, and he’d go back in a moment, so it’s awesome to see the support for our soldiers,” Sheila said.
The Calgary Herald article was full of pessimism and negative comments that the liberal media reporter obviously sought out, rather than simply let the pro-troop rally ride. That’s because liberals always have to have the last word. Therefore every non-liberal sentiment has to be countered by at least one liberal sentiment—even when the event is supposed to be apolitical.
[…] On Friday, Pte. Josh Klukie of Thunder Bay, Ont., became the 10th Canadian soldier to die in September, and the 37th killed since 2002.
The flurry of flag-draped coffins returning to Canada is re-igniting calls to end the dangerous deployment.
[…] However, there’s a difference between supporting the health and safety of soldiers, and using them as pawns in a political agenda, said Canada Democracy and International Law spokeswoman Julie Hrdlicka.
“Our concern (about events like the rally) is that the idea of supporting our troops, which every Canadian supports, is being used in a political context to sell the political agenda of the war on terrorism,” she said.
She argues there’s been very little debate on the relevance of sending soldiers to Afghanistan, and argues western nations are more insecure now than we were prior to the 9/11 attacks because of the war on terror.
[…] Sanheim says spiritual convictions forced him to leave the military. But, while he can’t condone war and fighting, he urged those against violence not to take their anger out on combat officers.
“Don’t love the war, but love the soldier,” said Sanheim.
And that mother pictured above who told the Calgary Sun that her son would go back in a moment? In the Calgary Herald they neglected to tell us that he’d go back in a moment. All they could find to report was this (and this ended their report):
As the rally wrapped up, Sheila Skerry clutched a photo of her son Brad. The image of the beaming soldier in beige army fatigues was taken Aug. 18, the day Pte. Skerry returned home from Afghanistan.
“This was the best day of my life. He came home,” she said, her voice choked with emotion.
“I just want all the rest to come home safely too.”
The Calgary Sun article ends with her too, but in their case she’s quoted as saying:
“We know it’s part of their job, and they have to do it.”
PTBC was founded by Mr. Johannesen in 2000.
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