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hat tip: Proud to be Canadian
From the comments:
My heart is breaking after watching this video. After witnessing this family's courage it's not hard to understand what kind of man Corporal Shane Keating was.
I hope it gives them comfort to know how many lives they've touched, how much of a difference they have made, and will continue to make.
This week has made me realize how extremely fortunate I am to be a Canadian. As a mother, a Canadian, a woman and a world citizen, I feel a duty to do my best for my family, future generations, fellow Canadians and for those world citizens who want a better life.
I hope the Keating family will have the strength to keep communicating with Canadians, overlook the inevitable ignorance of journalists and ohterwise. Some of us need to hear how fortunate we are and what we can do to make a difference to our troops, their families and those they are sent to aid.
I hope Mr. Jack Layton hears this and apologizes to the Canadian soldiers about his betrayal to the troops and Canada.
Nearly 20 million Canadian don't support the Afghanistan mission, "Mike", including FORTY THREE PERCENT OF CONSERVATIVE VOTERS. Did you want an apology for their "betrayal" too?
Bob, you have no idea, nor do any of us, what the actual numbers of support and non-support are. That is just a political game of polling. This is not a matter of support for the mission... but of support for the troops.
As to Jack Layton claiming he supports the troops... he does not and there is no rational twisting possible to say it is so. He, and you, are liars if you say you support the likes of Shane Keating if you do not consider what they have to say.
Now, give Shane Keating's mother the respect she deserves... she's earned it a lot more than any of us... at least in this post, let her speak for her son without the usual leftist commentary... this is a post for those who support the troops (honestly) and understand the sacrifice they make.
If this post gets out of hand, comments will be shut down.
God bless our fallen hero's.
I cridd when watching this. My son was in the PPCLI for many years so I know a little of how she felt when he left for the mission. I will be wearing RED tomorrow. My sincere sympathy to her and her family and to all families of all those that have given so much, for our security.
That was a hard video to watch on so many different levels. To lose a son is tough enough but Shane's mom had the courage to explain her thoughts and feelings along with her son's. To all the soldiers and their moms who are making a difference, I salute you.
To the idiot reporters asking a greaving mom about pulling out of Afghanastan and political hacks, leftwing moonies, MSM and polsters who think that all their whining is doing their country a service, shame on you. You are doing nothing more than helping the enemy's propaganda campaign.
Very emotional..very heartbreaking and anger provoking insofar as the reporters trying to badger Mrs.Keating to say we should not be there..shame on them.She very quickly shut them down..one can only wonder that the station pulled away from her comments because they were not what they wanted to hear.
I hope no matter what the comments ,they keep it open..we need to see who is with us and who is not, for surely it has now become quite obvious that we are in a battle for our way of life
God bless Canada and her troops!
CP, aka Canadian Press, has omitted pertinent details in this report which CP wishes to suppress.
The rest of the story is yet to come out. ...-
Commons staff allowed to show support for troops with ribbons
OTTAWA (CP) - There won't be any red hats or scarves allowed, but uniformed staff of the House of Commons will be permitted to wear red ribbons on Fridays to show support for the troops in Afghanistan.
It's part of a national "wear red" campaign started recently by family members of soldiers from Petawawa, Ont., serving in the Afghan mission.
The decision is a compromise between a union request to allow red shirts, hats or scarves on Fridays and a traditional reluctance to allow uniformed staff - ranging from security people to cafeteria workers - to take part in awareness campaigns.
The only exception has been Remembrance Day poppies.
"There is a longstanding practice of not allowing uniformed employees to participate in any kind of awareness campaign by wearing ribbons or buttons or whatever," said Heather Bradley, a spokesperson for Speaker Peter Milliken.
She suggested the original request from the union wasn't realistic.
"A request that was made was basically asking all employees being able to ditch uniforms on Friday."
But simple ribbons will be acceptable, she said.
She said the staff of Parliament Hill have to be seen as non partisan.
"It's really, really important because we serve 308 members of Parliament with various viewpoints."
The "wear red" campaign is sponsoring a rally on the Hill on Friday, hoping to attract thousands of people in a show of support for Canadian soldiers serving overseas. ...-
cnews
This family and thier pride in our country bring tears to my eyes and a stiring in my soul. God bless them and thier fallen son. God bless all of our brave men and women who stand bravely for all of us.
We don't say it nearly enough.
Thank you, to our Northern, peaceful neighbor.
You guys rock.
"If this post gets out of hand, comments will be shut down."
Easy on the trigger finger, fella. I am a long time SDA commenter who is hardline small-c conservative and who opposes the Harper government's foreign policy and the attempts of bloggers to exploit the pain and suffering of military families in order to squelch debate and advance their political goals. I've never been intimidated by the death threats I receive here and elsewhere and I'm not going to be silenced by your attempt to exploit the pain and suffering of others in order to advance your agenda.
SDA did not become Canada's best blog by sqelching logical, respectful, and factally accurate debate. SDA is Canada's best blog due in no small part to the contributions of westerners, easterners, men, women, civilians, military, libertarians and conservatives alike.
Thanks for this Kate. It was moving.
Words just can't express my sympathy for Shane's, and the other soldiers famililies.
God Bless Canada.
Oh, except for "Bob". You're a dickhead.
Lydia... Bob: Nix it. This is not the kind of post for rankor... Mkay.
Maybe the press can learn what real cost. The total sacrifice of, Intellegenmt Men & Women are willing to endure, for freedom's sake. For our comforts lived in security . For a Nation that takes its liberties for granted.
This Man sure didnt. I am proud I had a Country man like this Patriot. His Mother though filled with grief , was a giant in her support for her sons choice. What a difference from a Cindy Sheehan.
God keep & Bless all our Military in every endevor.
I don't mean to politicize this, but maybe Cindy Sheehan could learn a thing or two from Mrs Keating.
I have to confess this is the most moving thing I have ever watched on the net. Truly, it is.
Now I want to tie Taliban Jack down in a chair, with that piece of excrement wrapped in skin that calls himself Ti-Guy, and force them to watch this until their eyes bleed.
To this brave man's family, I am most deeply appreciative of his sacrifice, and cannot find the words to say how much it means to me for all of you to share this with us. God be with you all.
Bob, how about some proof that 2/3 of Canadians don't support the War in Afghanistan.
Every poll I've ever seen on the subject is almost 50/50 split.
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." J.S. Mill
Bob says:
"Nearly 20 million Canadian don't support the Afghanistan mission, "Mike", including FORTY THREE PERCENT OF CONSERVATIVE VOTERS."
Show us some proof of this, Bob.
What brave and selfless people we have in Canada. Mrs. Keating and all our military families are Canadian heros.
Alex
Winnipeg
God bless Shane Keating. God bless his family and friends, and God bless Canada. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the friends and family of Corporal Keating. And our great appreciation goes out to the obvious bravery of his family and their appreciation for the idealism that led Corporal Keating to participate in the valiant efforts that Canada wages on behalf of the free world.
Believe me, there are a lot of Americans who have deep appreciation for Mrs. Keating's sacrifice.
-- an old VietNam vet
Massive "Red Friday" public rally, Ottawa, Canada. Friday Sept 22, 2006...Let's roll!
CFRA News ^ | September 14, 2006 | CFRA Staff
Posted on 09/14/2006 7:28:31 AM PDT by fanfan
News Talk Radio 580 CFRA is proud to support the grassroots effort brought to Petawawa by the wives of two men serving in the Canadian Forces. The concept of wearing something red - whether a red shirt, jacket, cap, bandana or whatever - every Friday is meant to let the soldiers and their spouses and children know they are not alone.
We appreciate the sacrifices they are making on our behalf. We thank them for their service to our country and their fight for peace and justice wherever in the world they are sent.
With that in mind, CFRA invites you to attend a massive "Red Friday" public rally. This is a non-partisan, non-political rally in support of Canadian troops and their families:
* Friday Sept 22, 2006
* Parliament Hill, Ottawa
* 12:00 Noon - 1:00 pm
Police officers, firefighters, city staff, politicians of all stripes, OC Transpo staff, paramedics, united way workers, private businesspeople and the general public will join a colourful parade of veterans as they show respect and thanks in a very public way.
PLEASE SHARE THIS PAGE WITH EVERYONE ON YOUR CONTACT LIST. HELP SPREAD THE WORD, AND WEAR RED THIS FRIDAY! ...-
free republic
We will defeat the Taliban and we will defeat terrorism because our losses give us resolve.
I am proud to be Canadian again!
what a video. Her sobs just broke my heart. And it swelled with pride that this woman raised a son of such courage and resolve. She gave him one wonderful example to follow. God Bless Shane Keatings family and my the Angels wrap him in their wings for surely he has earned his rest.
God Bless all our soldiers. God Bless Steven Harper , whose speech at the UN was wonderful , all of them so unworthy to hear those pearls cast before the swine they are.
And God Bless Canada... for this country is fine and good and strong and brave ... After all!!
This got me crying and I have not done that in a very long time. I cannot believe the resolve this family has in its time of grief. I wish I could say that I would do the same.
I salute you and your family and may God treat you well until you are called to join your loving son.
I was deeply moved by Shane Keating's mother's courage and her solidarity with her son's (and Canada's) mission in Afghanistan. His words were eloquent and her presence spoke volumes.
I would like to send her my personal codolences; does anyone know the link for me to do this?
Rest eternal grant unto Shane, O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon him.
God Bless all the brave men and women of our armed forces.
Watching this makes me very sad and angry as hell at people like Layton who could never be the man Cpl Keating was.
I don't care about polls, or the majority of what Canadians think. I'll take my advice from people like Cpl. Keating, who knew why we were there and his mother. She has paid the price in ways many of us can never comprehend.
What she says has more clout than any damn NDP'er or leftist MSM polls.
To Corporal Shane Keating Mother, My prayers are with you during this sad time. This was a very courageous statement to make. You are truely one amazing, strong lady. It is your strength that made Shane the strong proud Canadian that he was. Thank you for your families bravery. I will wear red tomorrow.
The strength and dignity that Mrs.Keating displays,rises heads and shoulders above the nonsense that a lot of the politicians have shown.I grew up at CFB Shilo,lived most of my life as an "army brat',and I am so very proud of ALL our military..I support our troops 100 percent,and just wish someone could shake some sense into Taliban Jack,and Alexa...they make my head,and my heart hurt.God Bless to all our folks in uniform,and God speed.My sincerest condolences to the grieving families,the troops,we do care. Sammy
RIP - Canadian's finest.
From My Blog...
No Headline Could Suffice
I made a decision some time ago that Loving Jacqui would not be about politics.
And it still isn't. I guess it's about two people, how we feel about others, and sometimes on blessed days how others feel about us and what our goal is: To love each other this entire life and beyond.
It's a hefty goal and neither of us is perfect.
Some people are pretty close though, or at their maximum, their beauty and nobility is so perfect that it shines through their lesser nature in a white light of goodness that a man of the cloth might be able to describe, maybe, but that I fall well short.
Here is a man doing something that I deeply admire. I don't match it. I merely admire him for his clarity, his courage, and his love.
Unfortunately, he died while doing it. Here is his mom describing him and what he did with his life.
I don't consider this to be about politics so much, as about people. A family with a mom (and dad) who loves and supports her son so much that she supported his work and his values and not just the continuity of his flesh. And how painful this must be for her.
It could have been a policeman or a fireman or even a stranger out for a walk. But in this case it wasn't. It was a Canadian soldier.
Sorry ya'll. I meant no disrespect.
Lydia... it is very hard to keep from boiling over after watching that video; then reading those who just wish to minimize it all.
My deepest condolences to Mrs.Keating & Family, & to all of the families that have lost a loved one in Aphganistan.
As I watched the video I could feel my eyes swelling & I could also feel anger & outrage at those who (don't) condone this deployment.
Our proud Men & Women that are currently serving Know there mission, To bring Peace, Stability & Rebuild a region that has been in strife by a brutal regime for years, they know that this will not be an easy task & will it happen? One can only pray & hope.
Those that cry outrage at this action must remember that this is a UN Sanctioned Deployment that we are a part of. If we had not gone into Korea, Cyprus, Bosnia just to name a few, where would these regions be today? Still under the control of brutal dictatorships, whereas human lives would have taken even greater tolls.
In closing again My heartfelt condolences to all families.
Iam Proud of our Troops Current & Past, Proud of those that have given the Ultimate Sacrifice, Proud to be a Canadian, Proud of our Prime Minister.
I can only hope that Mr Layton & the NDP have been sent this video, by every Canadian that supports Mrs. Keating & our Troops.
At the Going Down of the Sun & In the Morning,
We Will Remember Them.
My heart is breaking after watching this video. After witnessing this family's courage it's not hard to understand what kind of man Corporal Shane Keating was.
I hope it gives them comfort to know how many lives they've touched, how much of a difference they have made, and will continue to make.
This week has made me realize how extremely fortunate I am to be a Canadian. As a mother, a Canadian, a woman and a world citizen, I feel a duty to do my best for my family, future generations, fellow Canadians and for those world citizens who want a better life.
I hope the Keating family will have the strength to keep communicating with Canadians, overlook the inevitable ignorance of journalists and ohterwise. Some of us need to hear how fortunate we are and what we can do to make a difference to our troops, their families and those they are sent to aid.
My pride in being Canadian, so tarnished during the Chretien era, swells a little when I see the Canadian flag draped on a soldier's coffin. We've heard a lot of meaningless chatter about "Canadian values" and I haven't heard many people articulate them in a way that really resonates, but when I see that Canadian flag I see Canadian values worth dying for. I'm inexpressibly grateful for the sacrifices all these families are making on our behalf.
Thank you Shane and family. This is why I'm wearing red today.
maz2...
Maybe they'll set up a recruiting table for you guys at the rally. If you're too old, have your children sign up.
Roger: Nobody has their children sign up... our children have signed up on their own, as independant adults.
I am very proud of Shane's mom for having the courage to speak out and share his views with the rest of us. (Thank You) I knew Shane personaly and can easily say we have lost one of the greatest men God ever put on this earth! I wish the reporters would have had a chance to meet Shane, maybe then some of his decency and respect for others would have rubbed off on them.