Figure of speech -
Politics in our country have stooped a new low.
In July 2009 the Minister of National Defense Honourable Peter MacKay promised our troops a fleet of new armoured vehicles, which we all know they desperately need. It proved quite the photo opportunity for the media and the Minister, with over 300 soldiers smiling proudly and confident their return to Afghanistan would be a safer one in the near future.
Having a friend die in Afghanistan because an improvised explosive device (IED) blew apart the poorly constructed armoured vehicle he was riding in, proves that this important equipment is needed, to protect and save the lives of our soldiers while they are posted overseas.
Witnessing first-hand the pain and devastation of a family losing their only son, friends losing the person who was full of energy and made them laugh and a community losing a devoted volunteer and leader - I'm a firm believer that the military needs more support, regardless of the debate on whether or not they should even be in Afghanistan.
So, the fact that the promise to invest in new armoured vehicles was "put on permanent hold" this month or in other words - cancelled, is just unacceptable. It's almost sly in my opinion; especially to leak the news quietly while stories from Haiti dominated every headline from here to Mexico.
Meanwhile, thousands of soldiers have volunteered to drop everything and travel to Haiti to help wherever they are needed. This is why we admire the outstanding individuals they are, who would fight for us - no matter what.
Having personally waited on the side of a cold highway, at midnight, during Christmas for a soldier's body to return home for burial, is an experience I hope no other family has to endure, but we know it will continue to happen - don't we? It's become something almost horribly regular in our everyday lives, to see another news report of a fallen soldier returning home to CFB Trenton to a hero's welcome and pictures of loved ones with tears rolling down their cheeks as they salute their bodies in flag draped caskets.
When the Canadian government asks another troop to join the already thousands of soldiers posted overseas, I'm not quite sure they realize the sacrifice.
Sure, it's a job, it's certainly a lifestyle and it's a career choice of the soldier - but they are gone for months on end, away from their children, their wives and husbands and other beloved family members. They are in constant stressful situations and sometimes combat. They do this for the country they love and serve - and the country they served just "cancelled" their only real means for protection. You might as well take away their ammunition.
Why have so many men and women overseas, if we can't do everything in our power to protect them? Maybe than our hero's will receive the welcome they deserve as they return to their loved ones, not in flag draped caskets, but to embrace them after a tour of duty.
An investment into our military is an important one. You can't invest into something once it's broken or gone. Then it's too late.
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