[ArmyMan]

We've been hearing alot of people's opinion the last little while about us being overseas. I have yet to see anything that asks us, the guys and gals that do the training and the bleeding about it. Do you think that we should be over there?

Secondly for the spouses, what are your opinions? You are the one's that are left behind with everything, worrying while we are gone. You "let" us go and do what we do, and support us. Again, what is your opinion of the situation?

[Firecat]

If i may venture a view as the son of a career military officer we understood what our father's job was and why it was important. We had the fear of him being posted into risky situations but were proud that he could,would and did serve. For my Mum it was very difficult not merely being left to cope alone with a family (frankly without much emotional support sometimes) but to cope so with the knowledge it could be made a permanent thing.

For the kids the fear was only theoretical. We took our cue from Mum.
sadly, for the officers' wives there was perhaps a bit less mutual support as fewer officers are posted into those zones than NCOs and other ranks and there is the Great Divide on base between Officers' families and those of the other ranks.
My father was often away from us for long periods of time and thus I really grew to know him and really respect his career only in his later years when we could speak freely between parent and child.

I would be proud were my son to choose to serve. I would be terrified and worry continually but I believe in Canada's place in the world and our duty to others less fortunate.

Duty is a demanding privilege, but it is a privilege that our children may CHOOSE to serve rather than be required. Should my son or daughter make that choice, I would respect that choice even with a lump in my throat.

That they would make that choice for the benefit of another people would be an honour to me, my own father (now departed) and the traditions and beliefs he held very dear - for King & Country.

[BartSimpson]

Having been overseas more than a few times and having lost my knee to 'friendly fire' I feel qualified to say something about sacrifices in the line of duty and what it is we're accomplishing in SW Asia.

Let's start with 9/11 - the guys who hijacked the planes were trained in cams in Afghnistan that no longer exist. While Saddam may not have been directly involved with al Qaeda the indisputable truth is that al Qaeda did conduct some operations out of Iraq with his knowledge and tacit approval. The attack on the USS Cole is linked to Iraq although the particular group that did that attack was on the periphery of al Qaeda and was not a proper al Qaeda cell.

I've personally seen a few things that I'll be able to discuss in nine years, eleven months, and twenty-one days that removed any doubts that we should be over there.

Were we to not have invaded those countries we'd have more memorials about our countries than we already do. Osama has said this in the past and I've been witness to things that proved operations were in progress.

Bear in mind that I offer no proof of these things nor will I. You asked my opinion and I'm explaining it.

The one country that we really need to invade and subjugate isn't Iraq or Afghanistan, but Saudi Arabia.

They are an ersatz ally of convenience because they need us militarily and we need them economically. In my opinion a friendship with SA is the same as being in bed with the devil.

So, yes, we need to be there. I'm happy to be RI but I'll go again if needed.

[SupportingOurTroops]

Well, I'm not a Spouse of a Canadian Soldier...but I am a Cousin of one who is currently deployed in Afghanistan.

I support the Canadians serving in Afghanistan. I think what some people fail to see, but are so quick to form an opinion on is….wether Canada is there for the right reasons. You betcha they are! Here are a couple of examples. Rebuilding Schools so Children can become educated and NOT dictated to. Giving people freedom, forming their own opinions and outlook on the World. Have we forgotten all the Women who held up a purple finger? They got to vote for the first time. A MCpl Matt Horner who came across an orphanage of young Children who were not wearing shoes on a snow covered ground, and rallied fundraisers from his fellow troops on base in Afghanistan to buy shoes for those Kid’s. Beta heard the call, and sent shoes for each and every one of them.

We, as Canadians have different view points of religion, we have different faiths. Those with a Catholic belief wouldn’t convert to being United or Anglican…but because we do not believe the same faith certainly wouldn’t posess us to kill Women, Children and create a terror network. I’m in no way saying we should all believe in one faith, what I am saying is…we can all do so without causing harm to one another. Do I think Canada should be in Afghanistan? ABSOLUTELY!! We are not fighting the ” common ” enemy. Or we are not fighting a ” common ” war. I refuse to use the word ” War ” as War has rules, the rules one follows when one declares such a thing on another Country. Remember, the terrorists have declared the act of terror. They wouldn’t come running over the hills on our soil, they wouldn’t meet on a battleground. They will shoot you in your back. The ” face to face ” War is no longer. They will wait for you to walk away from them, unarmed, unguarded, and fly a plane into your building. I will not wait to have a cowardly act done on a public School before we act. And wether Canadians want to believe that wouldn’t happen ….is complete denial. Afterall, the 16 captured in Toronto should be enough warning. They are already among us. I as a Canadian will not stand by and have another ” Path To 9/11 ” movie made. Fighting the terror so YOUR Kid’s won’t have to 2,5,10 years from now. 97% of Afghans support the Canadian forces being there, as does the Afghan President. I don’t blame the general Canadian public with ill feelings about this mission…I blame the media. Media that only air tragic events, ones that only use the word ” kill, killed, killing ” in all their media spoof. I bet there are a lot of things you didn’t know in regards to what good we are doing over there, e.i the Orghanage, rebuilding, and that 97% of Afghan civillians want and NEED them there.

I attended Pte William Cushley’s funeral , and a few things struck me. One, if he knew he was going to die, he still would of went. If one can make such a sacrifice, the least we can do is support it.

[Arctic_Menace]

I'm not a member or a spouse, but I do know people over in the Stan.

While I wish that our Government would explain how we went from Kabul and rebuilding to Kandahar and full-scale combat ops.

Regardless, I support our troops 100 percent. Our boys are over there, trying to make life better for the Afghan people who have only known oppression for so long. This isn't a job that's going to take 5 years, it's going to take a really, really long time...

[ridenrain]

I can't erase this thread so Ill just say good luck, good hunting, and a prayer that everyone comes back safe.

[Arctic_Menace]

Okay, but I just wanted to say my support for the troops.

[2Cdo]

Arctic_Menace Arctic_Menace:

I'm not a member or a spouse, but I do know people over in the Stan.

While I wish that our Government would explain how we went from Kabul and rebuilding to Kandahar and full-scale combat ops.

Regardless, I support our troops 100 percent. Our boys are over there, trying to make life better for the Afghan people who have only known oppression for so long. This isn't a job that's going to take 5 years, it's going to take a really, really long time...

Actually AM, the very first deployment was full-scale combat ops after which we closed the mission down for a few months and then re-entered Afghanistan in Kabul. The government at the time sat on their ass and when the time came to spread from Kabul to the provinces we were left with Kandahar! There is still rebuilding going on, but that doesn't sell as well as describing the latest battle.

[wpnsguyBill]

Let me first say that i am military but have not had the tour yet....Have had friends and people i work with go over and come back (only one to date that i knew personally came home escorted by six). Now i have been reading some of the entrys here and would like to know if any here were called upon to step up and serve for a few years would they answer the call.
Some call Afganistan a police action but i say if it looks like war and smells like war and soldiers are getting killed in combat then chances are it is a war so why is enrolment in the military low i see and hear lots of 18 to 25 year olds giving there support and lip service and they collect welfare get off your ass young Canadians and protect the way of life you want with more then just words

[Rihx]

Every day I ask myself that question, more so when I hear that friends and co-workers of mine have been under fire recently. I know why we are there and know why we NEED to be there. I havent had to go yet, but my turn is comming and I will go and do my part aswell.

It is my opinion that it is the RESPONSIBILITY of all FREE and DEMOCRATIC Nations to impart that freedom to opressed and brutalized people around the world. Even if Afganistan hadn't of been supporting terrorism it doesnt change the fact that every living soul deserves freedom and Afganistan was a humanitarian crisis that needed to be delt with.

With all that stated, I still have to say that I wish we didnt have to be there.

[Diesel]

I am a serving member and proud to be one, I firmly believe in what we are doing over there, for this reason; think about all the veterans from WW1/2 and allother conflictsCanada has been involved in, if they didn't go and fight for our freedom, where would we be today, we are giving the same opportunity to a country, which not long ago were denied rights as human beings in which alot of people in Canada take for granted.

[CapeApe]

I am a serving member of the Canadian Forces and have logged in over
10yrs of service in places over seas and peace keeping..

My wife Rose, GOD Love her understands and accepts my responsibilities.
While everyone may not agree as to why we are over there. The fact that they can openly display their displeasure in any public forum without being shot or jailed should in it self show the need for all of us to stand behind the men and women in uniform.

[wpnsguyBill]

An update to my last post i am now going over to Afganistan and very proud to serve my country...........Why am i still hearing about fellow members of the military who have NO tours at all finding little pissant ways to not go and do there duty???

[ArmyMan]

Then wpnsguyBill, there are thoses of us who want to do our part over there, and we can't. I'm in a support trade and all they want to do is hire a civi to my job. In my opinion, that sucks, big time.

[wpnsguyBill]

I to am a support trade you can figure out which one by my name....putting you aside as you have stated that you are willing and able just not picked to go.... there are still those that hide or otherthings to not go at least once and have done so for every HARD job and hiden their way through a career those are the ones i am throwing down the gauntlet at......STAND UP AND DO YOUR PART OR GET THE HELL OUT AND MAKE ROOM FOR THOSE WHO WOULD!!!!