Harper Would Like to See More Support for Soldiers

Stephen Harper would "like to see more support

in the House of Commons from all sides

for Canadian men and women in uniform."

March 21, 2007

"Mr. Speaker, I can understand the passion that the Leader of the Opposition and members of his party feel for Taliban prisoners. I just wish occasionally they would show the same passion for Canadian soldiers," Mr. Harper told the House of Commons replying to Liberal Stephane Dion to a standing ovation from his caucus.
Mr. Harper's comments were reminiscent of his allegations last month that the Liberals are "soft on terrorism" and refused to extend anti-terrorism measures in order to protect the family of a Liberal MP.
Mr. Harper refused to apologize, saying he simply wants to defend the military.
"I would like to see more support in the House of Commons from all sides for Canadian men and women in uniform," he said.
"I think Canadians expect that from parliamentarians in every party. They have not been getting it, and they deserve it."

Comments today in the House of Commons' Question Period, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said this in response to Stephane Dion's request for the resignation of Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor.

Stephane Dion

Jason Kenney, the secretary of state for multiculturalism, later said Mr. Harper was simply laying out facts.

"All [the Liberals] ever seem to do is ask questions about Taliban prisoners and not the condition of our troops, and I think the Prime Minister was pointing out the obvious," Mr. Kenney said.

Mr. O'Connor had rendered a public apology maintaining that detainees are in good hands in Afghanistan. "We have engaged the Afghan Human Rights Commission that will go into the Afghan system and be able to check to see how the detainees are treated. It will report back to us if there is any maltreatment," the Defence Minister said.

Families of Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan

Support Group Meeting

Waterloo Region

by: Jane Annandale

The meeting at the 404 Wing, our “new home” was indeed a special event. Over 40 attended the inaugural event including 404 Wing representatives Mike Turos and 404 President Vic Snowdon.


The monthly meeting of Families of Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan was held on Saturday, February 24th at 404 Wing RCAFA on Dutton Drive in Waterloo. This is as association of families who support each other through the anxieties of having a soldier on rotation in Afghanistan. This meeting marked the beginning of their association with 404 Wing and all further meetings will be held at this location.

The large number of members and guests were honoured by the presence of two notable speakers. Mr Jawed Ludin, former Chief of Staff to President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and Lt Commander Albert Wong, head of Public Relations for the Department of National Defence, came to the meeting in a private capacity to give personal and candid messages of encouragement and thanks for the great service that our Canadian Troops are bringing to the people of Afghanistan. The general population of that country know that they will benefit from the presence of NATO Forces, and that there must be peace and stability to rebuild the infrastructure, commerce and industry that will take them from one of the poorest nations in the world to a position of self sufficiency. Both speakers answered many questions and helped to give a clear picture of what our monetary and military contributions have achieved. It is only with a continued presence of the 37 countries in Afghanistan, and especially the bravery and steadfast efforts of our Canadian Troops that the country will achieve its goals. Appreciation was also expressed for the support that our soldiers receive from their families and for the sacrifice of families who have troops away on foreign service.

The next meeting of Families of Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan will be on March 31, 2007 at 7:30 pm at RCAFA 404 Wing, 510 Dutton Drive in Waterloo. Anyone wishing to attend the meeting should email focsia@hotmail.com or phone Kerry Townson, Membership Secretary at 519-888-9398.

Former Chief of Staff for Afghan President Visits with FOCSIA in Waterloo

On Saturday, February 24th, 2007, Jawed Ludin, the former chief of staff for Afghan President Hamid Karzai, along with is wife and children met with Families of Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan in Waterloo. Speaking with the support group, Ludin personally thanked a couple of the soldiers in attendance who recently returned from Afghanistan, for the work they did and for attended the group's meeting Saturday in Waterloo and were thanked personally for their committment and endeavours served overseas for his country.
On June 28, 2005 at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, President Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, had issued a decree appointing Mr. Jawed Ludin as the Chief of the Staff of the President.Jawed Ludin was born in Kabul on 16 March, 1973. He went to school at Ghazi High School in Kabul and went to university in London, the UK and earned his Masters Degree in Politics and Sociology in 2001. Jawed Ludin also has experience of working for international organizations in the areas of management, international development and public relations. He has served as the Spokesman and Director of communications of the President since May, 2003.
On Saturday, February 24th, 2007, Jawed Ludin, the former chief of staff for Afghan President Hamid Karzai, currently visiting family in Waterloo, met with Families of Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan in Waterloo.
The Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan would be dead overnight if Pakistan were forced to stop supporting them, says a senior Afghanistan government official.
"The root and the sources of terrorist indoctrination, terrorist support, terrorist mobilization, terrorist financing, terrorist training and terrorist launching -- all of this happens to be based in Pakistan," Ludin said.
Every Canadian soldier who has served in Afghanistan is viewed as a hero by the overwhelming majority of the people there, Ludin said.
"Afghanistan is grateful obviously to have Canada on its side," Ludin said.
The bombings in Madrid and London, as well as the attacks of 9/11, are all linked to terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ludin said.
"It would obviously be easier and more comfortable for all Canadians and their soldiers to be back in Canada, but life is not always about easy choices. The difficult choice is the right choice, and that's to be there," Ludin said.
The Italian prime minister recently saw his government fall over his support for keeping


He helped the United Nations organize the Bonn conference of November 2001 that laid out the democratic framework for a post-Taliban Afghanistan. He returned to Afghanistan to work for the president's office in May 2003.
"There is a large consensus internationally that it is vital for this country to become secure and stable again in order for the world to be safe from the threat of terrorism," Ludin said.
NDP Leader Jack Layton, and other MPs have called for a major change of direction in Canada's mission in Afghanistan. Those critics want Canadian troops to focus more on development work, rather than fighting.
But Ludin said both are needed at the same time.
"It's through development that you will ensure the long-term sustainability of this effort."
"You have to defeat the enemy of stability in Afghanistan in order to be able to help Afghanistan recover and develop economically," Ludin said.
The roots of terrorism in Afghanistan were planted in the 1980s. Money from Saudi Arabia was used by Pakistan's intelligence agencies to set up religious schools (Madrassas) where young recruits were indoctrinated into extremist Islam.
The Soviets were driven out of Afghanistan, but the Madrassas remained.
The Taliban came out of these schools. Talib means religious student.
Ludin said Pakistan and Afghanistan never accepted the border between the two countries when Pakistan was created in 1947.
And now Pakistani intelligence uses Islamic extremism to undermine any nationalist tendencies in the provinces that border Afghanistan.
The Muslim radicals running the Madrassas, the Taliban and Pakistani intelligence agency known as ISI form what Ludin calls an evil triangle.
"This triangle is the evil triangle that has to be dismantled if the world is ever going to be safe from terrorism" Ludin said.

For more information on the Families of Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan support group, call Kerry Townson at 519-888-9398 or e-mail focsia@hotmail.com

I'd like to share some information about a group I hold dear to my heart - a group of wonderful friends- a new family - I have journeyed through these past 6 months with:

FAMILIES OF CANADIAN SOLDIERS IN AFGHANISTAN

"It is our mission to provide ongoing support to extended families and friends of Canadian Forces personnel who are currently deployed, awaiting deployment, or have returned from Afghanistan and/or other overseas missions. Through meetings, special events, and community awareness programs, our group is committed to increase support for our troops as well as our members."

Goals and Objectives

• Provide emotional support for all members of the group and individuals connected to Canadian Forces
• Build the morale of those deployed through participation in community events
• Promote awareness of the men and women serving in all branches of the military
• Provide information via round table discussions and guest speakers
• Respond to requests for support materials such as yellow ribbon pins, t-shirts, etc.
  
  Who We Are
  
  We are a welcoming community of families and friends of Canadian military serving in Afghanistan including those who have returned or have yet to be deployed. A few parents and family members first met in the summer of 2006 to share their feelings and concerns for their loved ones overseas. Through information sharing, monthly meetings, guest speakers, community events, and the media, the number of members has grown to include nearly 40 family groups. The name officially became “Families of Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan” in September, 2006.
  
  What We Do
  
  Meetings are normally held on the last Saturday of each month and often include guest speakers on such topics as stress, reunions, special events, and information about the mission. Commencing February 24, 2007, these meetings will be held at the Wing 404 in Waterloo. Special events such as Red Friday Rallies, Parades, and Talk shows on radio and T.V. have also been organized to garner support for our troops. For further information about our organization, ordering support materials, or becoming a member, please contact us at focsia@hotmail.com.

FOCSIA Held an Open House December 28th

For Soldiers and/or Family members of soldiers serving in Afghanistan, have served in Afghanistan or will be serving in Afghanistan...

"Families of Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan"

(Support group based out of Waterloo Region) hosted an Open House at the Waterloo Branch at the Royal Canadian Legion on Thursday, December 28th 2006. Giving chance to meet with other parents, families and friends of soldiers serving overseas, it also gave everyone an opportunity to meet with soldiers who had served, currently serving (on leave) and soldiers preparing for deployment. We spoke with each other, met new family members, laughed, cried, looked at pictures, listened to stories -most importantly- provided support to one another.

"I'd like to give a special thank Cpl H. for answering all my many questions and providing me with a link to my son who seems so far away. Thanks for passing on that special hug."

If you are a mother, father, family member or friend of a soldier and would like further information or would like to become a member, contact Families of Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan at:

Email: Familes of Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan ">

focsia@hotmail.com

Continued Support for Our Troops

People are seeking ways to show their support for the brave men and women who serve with the Canadian Forces (CF) both at home and abroad.

Gore Mutual Insurance in Cambridge...

The staff at Gore Mutual Insurance are rallying around one of their co-workers (one of our Military Moms!) whose 23 year old son is currently serving overseas in Afghanistan.
She supports the troops as always by wearing her red "Support Our Troops" T-shirt every Friday. Well - the support is caught on. Her co-workers had asked to purchase the shirts and would wear them on Fridays as well. After being contacted by the Gore social commitee and being asked about selling Canadian Forces sanctioned shirts and other merchandise to fellow employees, after two days, sales amounted to more than $740 once the company decided to match the amount of the money raised! THANKYOU GORE! HUA!
You can FEEL the support at Gore. More on the Cambridge Times article.

All proceeds from the sales of "Support Our Troops" items are reinvested directly into morale and welfare programs for CF members and their families. (eg. kit bags for wounded soldiers while in hospital - and to offset the cost to dependents while visiting their loved ones)

She is part of a support group called Families of Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan. The group promotes awareness in the community and provides support to boost the morale of deployed local military personnel, as well as offering support to those families who have loved ones overseas.

For more information about the support group for

Families of Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan,
contact: focsia@hotmail.com

Elsewhere, in Cambridge...

The Real Estate Board of Cambridge continues to raise funds in support of Canadian troops in Afghanistan. Residents are encouraged to purchase yellow ribbon car magnets and yellow bracelets that read, "Support Our Troops". Magnets cost $4 and bracelets cost $2.
Proceeds from sales will be used to purchase items on the wish list of men and women overseas. These are items that are not supplied by the military. More information is available by contacting Val Brooks at 740-3690 or the MLS Board Office at 623-3660.
Brooks is also accepting letters of support for troops. To get there in time for Christmas, she must have all letters by next week.
"Way to go VAL! and Real Estate Board of Cambridge! "

In Kitchener...

Staff at Smithson Public School shows support.
November 4th, it was a sea of red as the support flowed through the halls of Smithson School. Staff wore red in support of the troops (as well, one of the soldiers had been a past student at their school). They had an opportunity to sign a card being sent to the troops! Since, the students have been seen wearing red - and when asked why? Their answer: "It's Red Friday of course- it's for our soldiers!" Smithson gets a BIG HUA!

In the Niagara Region...

That next trip to the corner store could mean a lot more than lottery tickets and a carton of milk. All 110 Avondale stores in Niagara region are asking customers to sign a message of support for Canada's 2,300 troops stationed in Afghanistan. Signatures and well-wishes will be collected until Dec. 6, when they will be taped together to form a giant, fold-out Christmas card Canada Post will ship overseas for free. When in the Niagara area, be sure to stop by an Avondale store and send your well wishes to the troops. Read further

Thank you Ann... and thank you Niagara Region!

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In the Ottawa Area:

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Canadian Tire in Ottawa and CFRA News Talk 580

As the movement in support of Canadian troops and their families continues to grow, Ottawa's News/Talk Radio station is teaming up with two leading businesses to spread the red wave even further. Starting Thursday, November 8th, all local Canadian Tire dealers will be selling red "support our troops" T-shirts with 100% of net proceeds going to the Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre. The PMFRC www.pmfrc.org exists to "promote and create an environment which fosters social and emotional well-being of our military families in order to support the mission of the Canadian Forces." From the outset, the two military wives who brought the wear red campaign to Petawawa have stressed the non-political nature of their initiative. "No matter what your views on any particular mission," says Lisa Miller, "wearing red is a simple way to say thank you to the soldiers and their families who give up so much in the service of their country." The stylish red T-shirts are high quality red 100% cotton, emblazoned with the message "Courage is being afraid, but going anyway. Support our troops" and were designed and produced by Ottawa's award-winning branding company Promographix. They first appeared at the huge Red Friday rally on Parliament Hill in September, and are now being made available to the general public for the first time. The "Support our Troops" shirts are in stores now for $10 (including tax) available in large and extra-large only at Ottawa area Canadian Tire dealers; however, if you would like to make a large quanitity order, 36 shirts or more, send an email to wearred@promographix.com.
Proceeds go to Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre.
http://www.cfra.com/red-shirt/index.asp

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Canadians can show their support by:

Wearing Red on Fridays: Wear something red on Fridays to show support for the CF and their families. (red "Support Our Troops" t-shirts available at: www.cfpsa.com/canex

Writing to the Troops: Let Canadian Forces members know they are appreciated by posting a message on the online message board at: www.forces.gc.ca/site/community/messageboard/index_e.asp

Purchasing Canadian Forces sanctioned merchandise (magnets, pins, shirts, caps, etc.) Canex

"If you or your company is doing something in support of the troops and families, let us know. Post your comments below and I'll publish it. Thank you!"