A Special Canada Day To Our Canadian Readers And Soldiers

A Canadian soldier takes a position during a patrol in Arghandab, a district of Kandahar province, on July 6, 2008. About 2,500 Canadian soldiers are currently serving in Afghanistan. (Allauddin Khan/Associated Press)

'Very Grateful To Be Canadian' -- Edmonton Sun

Serving in Afghanistan gives soldiers appreciation for Canada

In Afghanistan, Cpl. Matthew Hall saw something he would never see in Canada -- an irrigation and sewage system where people took care of daily bodily functions upstream while children played downstream.

"I think that's when I realized (and) it really kicked in what sort of level these people are still living in and how much work has left to be done," said Hall, of the 1st Battalion of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

Read more ....

More News On Canada

Canada Day a subdued affair on the Afghan front lines -- Canada.com
On-duty soldiers in Afghanistan still find ways to mark Canada Day -- Canadian Press
Flag, Armed Forces Make Canadians Proud (Polling Data) -- Angus Reid
Canada in Afghanistan -- CBC
Universities launch scholarships for children of fallen soldiers -- Globe And Mail

My Comment (WNU Editor): Regular readers of this blog know that I am a Canadian. I have been lucky enough to have traveled (and lived) around the world. My favorites spots have been/are the prairies of Russia (100 kilometers west of Moscow) and the Crimea in the Ukraine. Quanzhou City, Fujian Province China in 1988 (Before the pollution). The islands of Greece (Ionian side, not the Aegean side) The Big Island, Hawaii (Kona side). The vineyards of Napa and Sonoma. Half Moon Bay (west of San Francisco). The ancient cities of Europe (London, Paris, and Rome). The Turks and Caicos Islands 25 years ago.

I have lived in all of these locations (some for a short time, some longer) .... but when I was there I always wanted to come back to Montreal, Canada. This is my home, and this where I feel safe and comfortable.

So today is Canada Day, and while I know that my American partners are going to make sure that this blog is updated .... I am going to rest back, have a shot of Scotch (Johnnie Walker Blue of course), give thanks to what I believe/know is the greatest country on earth, give thanks to our troops, start up my barbecue, and enjoy this day.