Dear Canada,
The absolutely disgraceful events at Beaumont Hamel this year highlight once again the fake embrace of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada.
Jim Winter expressed my feelings precisely in his letter to the Telegram.
He along with many of us want an apology. I will go a step further and say I want a do-over.
I have a really difficult time every year when Canada Day celebrations overtake Memorial Day. When Canada so politely places us into the event schedule in Ottawa for half an hour or so.
It is Memorial Day not Memorial Morning. It is time we take our culture and history seriously and stop relegating ourselves behind the birthday of Canada in which we were not a part.
A real consequence of that devestating loss of our men on that day is the loss of our country and subsequent joining in with a group of provinces that would always consider us an afterthought. Those men were young leaders and innovators with real courage to forge a future for our beloved Newfoundland and Labrador.
When I was a child 45 years ago Memorial Day still kept some of its prominence but slowly and surely it is disappearing into the Canadian mosaic - whatever that is. In our county of multiculturalism - it is ironic that Newfoundland and Labrador's culture is one that is being sacrificed.
The provincial politicians and their Canadian masters are showing how little they really feel in their hearts about who we are and where we come from. Since confederation it has been the reason we have given away so much.
The non-renewable constructed auto-sector manufacturing has always been more important to Ottawa than our renewable culturally essential fishery here at home.
The by-passing of our coastal sector to that of the original coast of Nova Scotia has meant refining, ship-building, and Navy and Coast Guard activities are removed from our potentials.
Our renewable energy sector has been sacrificed for the "green good" of the nation instead of a necessary growth industry for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Danny Williams - the self-proclaimed proud Newfoundlander and Labradorian has all but insured our demise with the disastrous Muskrat Falls deal with Emera.
The Rooms had a significant ceremony for the 100th anniversary of the Battle - however it was dignitaries - we could all see it later.
Maybe this statement on Veterans Affairs Canada says it all:
"Anyone attending the July 1st ceremony at the Beaumont- Hamel Newfoundland Memorial site in France to mark the 100th anniversary of Canada’s participation in the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel must register online by Tuesday, May 31, 2016."
Our local politicians have dropped the ball on the whole fiasco at Beaumont Hamel and have taken the Canadian line regarding the major slight on our history. But that just demonstrates the lack of real understanding and appreciation of our culture. It just demonstrates ignorance and shallowness. They are the ones who don't tear up at the Ode but rather see it as part of political protocol representative of their titles.
Pathetic - really pathetic - and if we do not do something soon - we will chewed up entirely and become part of Atlantica - (Ottawa's pet project).
Don't let any of these pompous underperforming egotistical "leaders" take away who we are. If any of them had the courage and strength of the boys and men we lost - we would be sitting pretty now in a place that would survive forever.
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