Your urgent mission: Raise your voices for Canadian Veterans (More contacts added)

The story:

Scandalous, cold blooded eviction of sick, aged veterans from Colonel Belcher facility in Calgary

H is retirement home is in Calgary, located on 1945 Veterans Way NW. Sounds like a patriotic and fitting address for this Korean War Veteran, Don Garrow, who served in Korea with the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians). The name of his assisted living facility is equally patriotic and harks back to 1919. It is called the Colonel Belcher Centre, named after the now torn down Colonel Belcher Hospital that was once operated by Canada’s Department of Veterans Affairs.

The original “Belcher” treated veterans from the First World War and the newer hospital that was built in the 1940′s treated hundreds and hundreds of wounded, injured and ill servicemen during the Second World War. During the Korean War it treated injured soldiers from Currie Barracks, also now gone – soldiers from the Princess Patricias, troopers from the Strathconas.

Ownership of the Belcher transferred from the federal government to the Province of Alberta in 1979 and in 1991 it was designated as a long-term care facility for war veterans....

There is much more on this facility's plans to evict at least two dozen Canadian veterans, here.

"Scandalous, cold blooded" doesn't begin to cover this one.

Your mission? Raise your voices, and tell these 'people' that this is NO WAY to treat our Veterans. I found their contact page here.

The home page is here.

Their site proudly proclaims: The Most Trusted Name in Seniors Housing. Really? From what I am reading, not so much. Since they apparently cannot be trusted to treat OUR Veterans with respect - which every single Veteran has earned at the very least - time for us to tell them evicting the Veterans is NOT acceptable.

THAT is your mission. Please get on this one. Our Veterans have earned our support.

Thank you.


UPDATE: Politicians' contact information added

Premier Ed Stelmach
780-427 2251

Honourable Jonathan Denis, Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs
calgary.egmont at assembly.ab.ca
...403-640-1363
780-644-8954

Honourable Gene Zwozdesky, Minister of Health and Wellness
edmonton.millcreek at assembly.ab.ca
780-466-3737
780-427-3665

Honourable Mary Anne Jablonski, Minister of Seniors and Community Supports
reddeer.north at assembly.ab.ca
403-342-2263

(H/T John)

Get on those phones. This cannot stand.

The end of an era: RAF Hercules fleet moves to Brize Norton

Locals gather to mark the departure of the last of the Hercules Force from RAF Lyneham
[Picture: Paul Crouch, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

A Defence Policy and Business news article

4 Jul 11

On Friday, 1 July 2011, the last of RAF Lyneham's Hercules fleet said a final farewell to the base as they flew in a low-level formation across the skies to their new home at RAF Brize Norton.

RAF Lyneham's Station Commander, Group Captain John Gladston, flew the first aircraft to land at Brize Norton. He said:

"This is our last opportunity to say thank you and pay tribute to the people of Wiltshire for all the support they have given to the station over the past 70 years.

"It is with a heavy heart that I bid farewell to the Hercules Force, a sentiment which I know echoes throughout the Wiltshire community.

"The Hercules Force will now take a piece of our unique and proud history to RAF Brize Norton where I know they will be most welcome and I am in no doubt that it will flourish and continue to build on our proud heritage for many years to come."

A four-ship formation of Hercules aircraft flies over Wiltshire as the Hercules Force leaves RAF Lyneham for its new home at RAF Brize Norton
[Picture: Gordon Elias, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

Much more here.

Kory and Cooper: Together Forever

(picture courtesy of Kristy)





















Four years ago today, Kory and Cooper gave their lives in service to America.

I have written about them here,

here and here.

You can also find an article on them here.





ALWAYS remembered and honoured...

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Michael

2nd Lt. William Edward Metzger, Jr.
22 years old from Lima, Ohio
729th Bombardment Squadron, 452nd Bomb Group (Heavy)
November 9, 1944


On May 16, 1945 2nd Lt. William E. Metzger was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions six months earlier. His citation reads:

"On a bombing run upon the marshaling yards at Saarbrücken, Germany, on 9 November 1944, a B17 aircraft on which 2d Lt. Metzger was serving as copilot was seriously damaged by antiaircraft fire. Three of the aircraft's engines were damaged beyond control and on fire; dangerous flames from the No. 4 engine were leaping back as far as the tail assembly. Flares in the cockpit were ignited and a fire roared therein which was further increased by free-flowing fluid from damaged hydraulic lines. The interphone system was rendered useless. In addition to these serious mechanical difficulties the engineer was wounded in the leg and the radio operator's arm was severed below the elbow. Suffering from intense pain, despite the application of a tourniquet, the radio operator fell unconscious. Faced with the imminent explosion of his aircraft and death to his entire crew, mere seconds before bombs away on the target, 2d Lt. Metzger and his pilot conferred. Something had to be done immediately to save the life of the wounded radio operator. The lack of a static line and the thought that his unconscious body striking the ground in unknown territory would not bring immediate medical attention forced a quick decision. 2d Lt. Metzger and his pilot decided to fly the flaming aircraft to friendly territory and then attempt to crash land. Bombs were released on the target and the crippled aircraft proceeded along to Allied-controlled territory. When that had been reached 2d Lt. Metzger personally informed all crewmembers to bail out upon the suggestion of the pilot. 2d Lt. Metzger chose to remain with the pilot for the crash landing in order to assist him in this emergency. With only 1 normally functioning engine and with the danger of explosion much greater, the aircraft banked into an open field, and when it was at an altitude of 100 feet it exploded, crashed, exploded again, and then disintegrated. All 3 crewmembers were instantly killed. 2d Lt. Metzger's loyalty to his crew, his determination to accomplish the task set forth to him, and his deed of knowingly performing what may have been his last service to his country was an example of valor at its highest."

2nd Lt. Metzger's pilot, 1st Lt. Donald J. Gott, was also awarded the Medal Of Honor for his actions that day. A video tribute to the three men lost.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.
Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

I gladly stand up next to you

From Sea to Shining Sea








To our troops, and their families: THANK YOU!!!



Happy July 4th, America!!!

Faith and Freedom

From TAPS:

MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND FAMILIES: DOWNLOAD “FAITH AND FREEDOM” JULY 1-5

Portion of Proceeds From New Patriotic Song by Gary Morris To Help Families of our Fallen Military Through TAPS

WASHINGTON - Award-winning music legend Gary Morris has dedicated the title cut of his new album, “Faith and Freedom,” to U.S. military service members, and is offering a free download of the song for military service members, military families, and surviving families of our fallen military, July 1-5, 2011.

A public release of the song “Faith and Freedom” will happen after July 5, and a portion of proceeds of the song will be donated to help the families of our fallen military through the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). An accompanying original art print will also be sold to benefit TAPS.

Morris has hosted several celebrity golf tournaments for TAPS, raising in excess of one million dollars to help TAPS. TAPS is the national organization providing compassionate care for the families of America’s fallen military heroes. TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, seminars, case work assistance, and a 24/7 resource and information helpline for all who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces.

“Faith and Freedom” is available to download July 1-5, 2011 for military service members, military families, and surviving families of our fallen military, at: http://www.garymorris.com/july4th/FthFreedmGMorris.mp3

Morris believes more needs to be done to honor the service and sacrifice of our military and their families today. “It is with pride that I dedicate the title cut from my latest CD, Faith and Freedom, to the members of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard,” said Gary Morris.

“As we spend the holiday with family and friends, I ask that you take time to reflect and to thank the members of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard who continue to assure us our faith and freedom,” said Morris.

Gary Morris is known for his signature rendition of the classic “Wind Beneath My Wings,” a series of country hits, his award-winning North American Sportsman television show, and his starring role in Broadway’s Les Misérables. He has long been an active supporter of America’s military. He has performed for every U.S. President since Jimmy Carter and entertained our troops at military bases around the world.

About TAPS
TAPS has offered support to more than 30,000 surviving family members of our fallen military since 1994. Services are provided free of charge. For more information about TAPS go to www.taps.org.

Canada's Troops on Canada Day

Wherever our Canadian troops are on this 144th Canada Day: THANK YOU!



(Source)