🚀 go-pugleaf

It is not that they are the definitive symbol It is that the Snowbirds
are what the public seesof our military. They represent Canada as a
whole and the professionalism of all our forces. I feel that The
snowbirds are worth keeping and give a sense of pride to a military that
is little of what it once was. The government of this so called great
country has for a long time let down our troops with low pay poor
equipment and so on. As a military man you know this. If you feel that
the government has shown pride in the accomplishments of our troops give
examples. I would love to see them. From the destruction of the Arrow to
the poor state of the equipment our troops now have. 
Canada is proof that you can fight a modern war with equipment bought in
the late 50's. The Snowbirds are an essential part of Canada and I am
proud to have flown with them and reported on them.
William Gilson
Aerophoto International
http://www.geocities.com/wgilson

Pat & Trish McAuley wrote:
> 
> As a Canadian who has served 25 years with the Canadian Air Force, I find it
> rather strange that you perceive the Snow Birds to be the definitive symbol
> of our countries military capability.  When did our prime role become that
> of an entertainment troop?
> 
> Yes, the Snow Birds have become a Canadian symbol, recognized
> internationally as one of the worlds premier aerobatic demonstration teams.
> However, as much as it would sadden me greatly to see them disbanded, it
> pains me even more to see our military trying to meet its operational
> commitments without adequate funding.
> 
> I am actually surprised that the Snow Birds have lasted as long as they
> have, given the fiscal climate over the past number of years.  The time came
> long ago when we can ill afford the luxury of such a public relations team
> at the expense of operational requirements.
> 
> Canada's military has a long, proud history and It too is recognized
> internationally as one of the best in the world.  They do not now, nor have
> they ever, needed the Snow Birds to "prove the worth of our forces to the
> Public".  Our Forces have proven themselves time and time again, both on the
> field of battle and as Peacekeepers.  Their legacy of commitment and
> sacrifice speaks for itself.
> 
> "Lest We Forget"
> 
> MWO Patrick A. McAuley (Ret'd)
> 
> <aerophoto@home.com> wrote in message news:37D69F6C.AE2AC7EF@home.com...
> | Pass this one on to all your friends.
> | Without the Snowbirds How will we prove the worth of our forces to the
> | Public.
> |
> |
> | By now, you've heard the bad news: there is a distinct possibility that
> | the
> | Snowbirds air
> | demonstration team will disappear after its 2001 season, the victim of
> | continued federal
> | government cuts.
> |
> | Now is the time to make our objections heard -- not only about the
> | possible
> | disbandment of the
> | team, but also to the cuts to other Canadian military units and
> | programs.
> | For example, there is a
> | rumoured plan to mothball two of the five CP-140 Aurora aircraft at
> | Comox --
> | this despite an
> | allegation that these five aircraft are so thinly stretched that at
> | least
> | one foreign vessel has been
> | able to enter Canadian waters undetected and discharge a cargo of
> | illegal
> | refugees.
> |
> | HOW TO MAKE YOUR OPINION KNOWN:
> |
> | Let's start lobbying THESE PEOPLE:
> |
> | Federal finance minister Paul Martin (613) 992-4284
> | Fax: (613) 992-4291
> | Email: Martin.P@parl.gc.ca
> |
> |
> | Federal defence minister Art Eggleton
> | Telephone: (613) 941-6339
> | Fax: (613) 941-2421
> | Email: Eggleton.A@parl.gc.ca
> |
> |
> | Prime Minister Jean Chr�tien
> |
> | Telephone: (613) 992-4211
> | Fax: (613) 941-6900
> | Email: pmo@pm.gc.ca
> |
> | Heritage Minister Sheila Copps
> | ("Why her?" you ask.  Simple. Because the Snowbirds are a tangible
> | symbol of
> | Canadian
> | accomplishments -- just the kind of thing that should be honoured by
> | her
> | department.
> | Telephone: (613) 995-2772
> | Fax: (613) 994-1267
> | Email: Copps.S@parl.gc.ca
> |
> | ALSO -- AND THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT -- politicians judge the intensity
> | of
> | public reaction
> | to a policy move by the volume of "snail-mail" they get.  SEND LETTERS,
> |
> | TOO!! Mail can be
> | sent postage-free to any member of the House of Commons at the
> | following
> | address:
> |
> | House of Commons
> | Parliament Buildings
> | Ottawa, Ontario
> | K1A 0A6
> |
> | Incidentally, the Reform Party's defence critics are:
> | Art Hanger, who's at
> | Telephone: (613) 947-4487
> | Fax: (613) 947-4490
> | Email:  Hanger.A@parl.gc.ca
> | and also MP Jim Hart, who's at
> |   hart@reform.ca