I would like to thank Dr. Crowell for his efforts to revisit an idea that I proposed to City Council, The Naming Committee and Edmonton Salutes Committee for a renaming of 97th Street in honour of those that have served the country especially those that gave their lives.
The message must have been heard by the right people this time as no one in the previous or current city government would even entertain the notion when it was first suggested. With media support this time it may come true and that would be a tremendous accomplishment.
As you can see below from my original submission I had suggested that 97 Street from Jasper Ave to the city limit be renamed “Veteran’s Memorial Trail” in recognition of Canada’s soldier’s commitment to the current mission in Afghanistan as well as service in UN missions, WWl, WWll, Korea etc.
I believe that “Veteran’s Memorial Trail” would honour those currently serving as well as those that have gone before as well as those that will follow in the future.
The name “Heroes Boulevard” to me is offensive in that it makes serious omissions as well as broad generalizations. A Veteran is by definition is a soldier that has served his country and should be recognized for this. A Hero is someone that has through selfless deeds proven him or herself to be out of the ordinary, acting above and beyond the call of duty. Are all that have served veterans? Yes. Are all that have served including the ones that have given their lives heroes? No.
The Queen recognizes heroism in Her Majesty’s Canadian Forces through an approved system of honours and awards. I don’t believe that she has relinquished that responsibility to anyone other than our Governor General.
It takes a special kind of person to become a soldier, that is the big decision. To follow orders without question, to go everywhere and anywhere the current government decides you should go is not heroic it is simply the life of a soldier.
There are soldiers that do not accept deployment and are quietly released from service. I know this as I have witnessed it first hand. I have done my two overseas tours to Croatia and Bosnia, did all that was asked and came back alive. Am I a hero for simply doing what was asked of me? No, but I am a veteran.
When a senior travels down “Veteran’s Memorial Trail” they can feel that they are included, when I travel down the same street I can feel the same way. It is an unfortunate truth that dying for ones country is noble but not always heroic or necessary.
The message must have been heard by the right people this time as no one in the previous or current city government would even entertain the notion when it was first suggested. With media support this time it may come true and that would be a tremendous accomplishment.
As you can see below from my original submission I had suggested that 97 Street from Jasper Ave to the city limit be renamed “Veteran’s Memorial Trail” in recognition of Canada’s soldier’s commitment to the current mission in Afghanistan as well as service in UN missions, WWl, WWll, Korea etc.
I believe that “Veteran’s Memorial Trail” would honour those currently serving as well as those that have gone before as well as those that will follow in the future.
The name “Heroes Boulevard” to me is offensive in that it makes serious omissions as well as broad generalizations. A Veteran is by definition is a soldier that has served his country and should be recognized for this. A Hero is someone that has through selfless deeds proven him or herself to be out of the ordinary, acting above and beyond the call of duty. Are all that have served veterans? Yes. Are all that have served including the ones that have given their lives heroes? No.
The Queen recognizes heroism in Her Majesty’s Canadian Forces through an approved system of honours and awards. I don’t believe that she has relinquished that responsibility to anyone other than our Governor General.
It takes a special kind of person to become a soldier, that is the big decision. To follow orders without question, to go everywhere and anywhere the current government decides you should go is not heroic it is simply the life of a soldier.
There are soldiers that do not accept deployment and are quietly released from service. I know this as I have witnessed it first hand. I have done my two overseas tours to Croatia and Bosnia, did all that was asked and came back alive. Am I a hero for simply doing what was asked of me? No, but I am a veteran.
When a senior travels down “Veteran’s Memorial Trail” they can feel that they are included, when I travel down the same street I can feel the same way. It is an unfortunate truth that dying for ones country is noble but not always heroic or necessary.
