Dishonouring their sacrifice

There is an old saying “When you are being run out of town, step lively and people will think you're leading a parade.” Well some city councillors in Victoria, B.C. should start stepping lively pretty soon because I have no doubt they will soon be run out of town.

The five city councillors banded together to pass a motion which directs city staff to “seek to recover costs associated with military events in the city” from the Department of National Defence and/or the Department of Veterans Affairs. Their aim is to have the feds pay for policing costs for such events as Remembrance Day and Victoria Day parades which have a military component.

Perhaps the most galling aspect of the councillors actions was that the motion was moved and passed on June 6, the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. On the day nations around the world were commemorating one of the most decisive battles of the Second World War, a battle which was key to the liberation of Europe and the defeat of the Axis powers, these ‘public’ officials were proposing that the vets and their comrades in service pay for the community recognitions of their sacrifices. It is a horrible dishonour to their service,

I have often used the words of a deceased colleague of mine, a veteran of the RAF and RCAF at Remembrance Day service, “it is good that we remember” he said, “It is important that we remember.” It is indeed important that we remember, and that we offer our thanks to those who have and continue to serve to ensure our freedom.

We are deeply in their debt. They owe nothing, and it is a disgrace that anyone would dare suggest they pay for their parades.

But I'd be willing to share the cost of the ‘parade’ running those councillors out of town.

Frank Likely is a retired Anglican minister who lives in Springhill.