The Times Advocate, 2006-09-06, Page 66
Exeter Times -Advocate
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
Opinion Forum News
Seniors' perspective
Continued from page 5
Lest We Forget:
Subject: Proud to be a Soldier from the
daughter of a Soldier...
Last week I was in Trenton, Ontario attending a con-
ference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I
heard several people behind me beginning to clap and
cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one
of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen.
Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in
their camo's, as they began heading to their gate every-
one (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet
with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw the
soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and
cheered for it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only
red blooded Canadian who still loves this country and
supports our troops and their families.
Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping
for these young unsung heroes who are putting their
lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school,
work and home without fear or reprisal. Just when I
thought I could not be more proud of my country or of
our service men and women, a young girl not more
than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers.
He kneeled down and said "hi," the little girl then asked
him if he would give something to her daddy for her.
The young soldier, who didn't look any older than
maybe 22 himself, said he would try and "what did she
want to give to her daddy?" Then suddenly the little
girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the
biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on
the cheek.
The mother of the little girl, who said her daughter's
name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her hus-
band was a Corporal and had been in Afghanistan for
11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much
her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the young
soldier began to tear up. When this temporarily single
mom was done explaining her situation, all of the sol-
diers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of
the other servicemen pulled out a military looking
walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and
talking back and forth on it.
After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier
walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this
to her, "I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give
this to you." He then hugged this little girl that he had
just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished
by saying "your daddy told me to tell you that he loves
you more than anything and he is coming home very
soon."
The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrol-
lably and as the young soldier stood to his feet he salut-
ed Courtney and her mom. I was standing no more than
6 feet away from this entire event when it unfolded. As
the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate,
people resumed their applause. As I stood there
applauding and looked around, there were very few dry
eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last
act of selflessness turned around and blew a kiss to
Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.
We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers
and their families and thank God for them and their
sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good to be a
Canadian.
RED FRIDAYS - Very soon, you will see a great many
people wearing Red every Friday and the reason is
Canadian's who support our troops used to be called the
"silent majority". We are no longer silent, and are voic-
ing our love for God, country and home in record break-
ing numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or over-
bearing. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to
reflect our message or our opinions.
Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity,
by example; and wear something red every Friday.
Their blood runs red - so wear red! Lest we forget,
lest we forget. Have a great day!
The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can
we do to make things better for you?" is...We need your
support and your prayers.
How we Count: "A Woman's Rights When Getting
Services."
When a woman uses community services she has:
• The right to have someone with her to help her
understand the system and to provide practical and
emotional support.
• The right to ask questions about what the services
are and how they work.
• The right to full information and about available
services, exemptions and special programs.
• The right to information on how to complain or
appeal a decision, and the right to file a complaint or
appeal.
• The right to keep trying and keep asking for the
information, supports and services that she needs.
"It's not helpful when there is an inconsistent
response to women from the same agency - when ser-
vices are based on the woman's personality or the
worker judgment of her, not on her situation."
Farm Safety:
New legislation that protects farm workers is a long
time in coming. While responsible farmers have safety
plans in place and care for the welfare of their workers,
there will always be the unscrupulous that are willing to
take advantage of the vulnerable.
• Most at risk in farming operations are the immi-
grant workers, those who are unlikely to question the
authority of their boss. These are the workers that most
need the protection of the new legislation.
• While farmers themselves have been aware of the
legislation for some time, it would also be prudent to
ensure that workers themselves know their rights,
namely, that they have the right to refuse unsafe work.
Other laborers throughout the province have long had
that right.
• Today's farming operations make use of equipment
that can be dangerous, if not used correctly. It is only
right that the ability to refuse unsafe work and to com-
plain of unsafe practices to the Ministry of Labour be
extended to our farm workers.
• These are the people who work very hard, for rela-
tively low pay, to put food on our tables. Protecting
them from unnecessary danger while they provide this
valuable service is right and good. The only question is,
why did they have to wait so long? Remember if you ate
today, thank a farmer!
I was barely sitting down when I heard a voice from
the other stall saying: "Hi, how are you?" I'm not the
type to start a conversation in the restroom but I don't
know what got into me, so I answered, somewhat
embarrassed, "Doing' just fine!" And the other person
says: "So what are you up to?" What kind of question is
that? At that point, I'm thinking this is too bizarre so I
say: " Uhhh, I'm like you, just traveling!"
At this point I am just trying to get out as fast as I can
when I hear another question. "Can I come over?" Ok,
this question is just too weird for me but I figured I
could just be polite and end the conversation. I tell them
"No I'm a little busy right now!!!"
Then I hear the person say nervously... "Listen, I'll
have to call you back. There's an idiot in the other stall
who keeps answering all my questions!
Some Time Alone: Two guys from Middlesex County
are quietly sitting in a boat, fishing and sucking down
refreshments when suddenly Mel says, "I think I'm
going to divorce my wife... she hasn't spoken to me in
over two months." Earl sips his pop and says, "You bet-
ter think it over....women like that are hard to find."
LHIN hears from community
The South West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) would like to
express its appreciation to the residents of Exeter and surrounding com-
munities who attended the Community Forum on Aug. 24. This was an
_ . excellent opportunity to hear from the residents their
ideas about health care and allowed the South West
'rhes LHIN to share some of the improvements and changes
_iv toEditor being considered.
Additional forums are planned from now to Oct. 5 and
if you would like a chance for your voice to be heard,
please join us at an upcoming forum near you and help
make a difference. Please call 1-866-294-5446 or visit our
website at www.southwestlhin.ca for more information on the forums.
NORM GAMBLE, board chairperson
South West Local Health Integration Network
Volunteers needed by Red Cross
STRATFORD — Huron County was lucky to avoid the brunt of recent
severe weather but next time may not be so lucky.
For this reason the Stratford Huron -Perth branch of the Canadian red
Cross is urging people to take the threat of severe weather seriously.
In the quest to ensure that residents of Huron County receive the proper
information regarding emergency preparedness, the local Red Cross is
seeking people who are interested in helping prepare the local community
for any natural or technological disaster.
The Red Cross is seeking people who are interested in being trained to
help out after a disaster, there are many different tasks that need to be
addressed to ensure Huron County is ready for a disaster.
The organization is looking for people interested in giving emergency
preparedness workshops to businesses, non-profit agencies and the pub-
lic.
The Red Cross is also seeking volunteers to ensure the branch emer-
gency response plan is completed and continually updated.
The local Red Cross is responsible for maintaining inventory of disaster
supplies and up to date lists of designated businesses that are willing to
help out in a disaster.
It also needs volunteers who are interested in providing leadership to
coordinate and develop awareness activities throughout Huron and Perth
counties. Each position has different requirements and can take place
either in the evenings or daytime hours. For more information contact the
Red Cross at 273-9339 or Kelly MacGrandles at kelly.macgrandles@red-
cross. ca.
From left, Ken Oke,Adrian Bakelaar, Deborah Schillemore and Barb Caldwell were one of
the foursomes playing in the South Huron Chamber of Commerce golf tournament at
Exeter Golf Course Aug. 24.Taking the trophy for low gross was Steve Mcelroy, with cham-
ber of commerce president Hugh McMaster (centre) and foursome partners Jason Warram,
Lorna Mckercher and Murray Gorman. (photos/Pat Bolen)