Saturday, June 28, 2008

Hillier retires

John Ward captures what will most likely be remembered as one of Hillier's greatest successes during his term as CDS - re-connecting Canada with it's military.

That continuing effort now belongs not only to his successor, but to Prime Minister Harper and Defence Minister McKay. Damian has often blogged about it here, and unfortunately, the situation hasn't changed much.

We are but one or two elections and a different government mindset away from a return to the past. It doesn't matter what political stripe the government is, they're all politicians at heart. The military has been sacrificed for political expediency in the past and will be in the future - if we allow it.

The current government must better communicate the who, what, where, when and why of our military to the Canadian public. Tell us the stories of the average member of the CF. Better yet, let them tell it. Stop burying information under operational security or national defence excuses. Much like the boy who cried wolf, overuse of these reasons for denying information will eventually dilute their actual purpose.

He rallied the troops – and the Canadian public

JOHN WARD

The Canadian Press

June 28, 2008 at 1:04 AM EDT

OTTAWA — Rick Hillier brought a refreshing bluntness to the country's top military job, but his legacy may be that he reintroduced Canadians to their soldiers and instilled a pride in both.

Cross posted to BBS

3 Comments:

Blogger lance said...

From one former OS, God Bless General Hillier. A man's man, a soldier's soldier.

A politician's nightmare and the best god-damned fighter in the army, regardless of field.

Politicians fell, flower-children fell, the myth of the peace-keeper fell and by God, the damnable Taliban fell.

Way to get'er done General.

3:43 a.m., June 29, 2008  
Blogger Babbling Brooks said...

Well said, BBS!

5:20 p.m., June 29, 2008  
Blogger Josh said...

Here's the Media Advisory on the change of command ceremony, scheduled for July 2.

11:53 p.m., June 29, 2008  

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