Evidence of meeting #9 for Veterans Affairs in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cadets.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:25 a.m.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
I do want to just get a quick question in on your response. You mentioned 20 years down the road, and one of the things that comes up in my riding, which is a military riding, is Cold War veterans and how we can best remember them and ensure that we can remember them.
Do you have any comments on that and on how we could essentially help to recognize the great sacrifice that many Cold War veterans made as well?
November 3rd, 2011 / 10:25 a.m.
Executive Director, Army Cadet League of Canada
The Cold War wasn't as cold as people think it was. There was the Congo and Cyprus, and all sorts of things happened.
Some of our folks went to these peacekeeping operations and were forced to stand by and do nothing and observe horrendous things that went on, so there is an element of remembrance for them that is hard to enunciate. It's hard to enunciate, but again, in greeting people like that, if you ask where they served they'll tell you a little story. Their medals will tell you a little story. In the army our medals are a CV of where you've been—just that kind of personal recognition.
The peacekeeping associations that are now popping up all over the country bear witness to this. The peacekeeping monument here in Ottawa was a good step forward. Two of my friends are on that particular monument. But to actually go out and recognize them in some large manner, I can't think of a way to do that. I'd really have to study that one.
10:25 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Greg Kerr
Thank you very much, Mr. Whitty. That will conclude our time as far as questions go, and I do think you hit the nail on the head. It's a personal thing that we all have to do to make the contact with the veterans and show appreciation.
Thank you very much, not only for what you do and for being here today, but we know what you're going to continue to do in the future. We really appreciate your being here today.
10:25 a.m.
Some hon. members
Hear, hear!
10:25 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Greg Kerr
I just want to say, committee members, that we missed our business portion. We'll try to tack it on, but be aware that we're bringing back...[Technical difficulty--Editor]...Vimy, Juno, and...[Technical difficulty--Editor]...and hopefully time to do business.
I encourage all to get their lists of future studies in to us...[Technical difficulty--Editor]...as we go along. Please make sure they're ready for the end of...[Technical difficulty--Editor].
Thank you very much...[Technical difficulty--Editor].