Posted on 11/16/2001 1:15:10 PM PST by Clive
OTTAWA -- Canada's on the move.
About 1,000 soldiers at CFB Edmonton were told yesterday to be ready to head for Afghanistan on 48 hours' notice.
Warning orders went out to members of the 3rd battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry around dinner time.
It was not clear how soon the soldiers might set out. One source said they could be on the ground as early as the middle of next week, but little is certain because events in Afghanistan are unfolding with dizzying speed.
The force consists of three infantry rifle companies, a small engineer squadron, a headquarters detachment, a combat support company, and an administrative company.
The Canadians will likely be assigned to help stabilize the war-torn country and escort aid convoys, Defence Minister Art Eggleton said last night.
But their exact duties are still being worked out because the situation is changing rapidly since Taliban forces were unexpectedly routed in the past three days.
Plans are being worked out with the U.S. army central command in Tampa, Fla., which is coordinating the war on terrorism in response to the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington.
Earlier yesterday, British soldiers were put on similar notice. Canadian troops will work with U.S. and British units.
It was not clear whether the Canadians would fly to the region in C-130 Hercules transports or being carried there in U.S. air force planes.
This latest commitment brings to 3,000 the number of Canadian sailors, soldiers and air personnel earmarked for the anti-terror war.
Canada earlier dispatched five warships to the region, with another to fill in with a NATO naval squadron.
There was no immediate indication of how long the Canadians will be needed in Afghanistan.
Ditto.
Tony
Welcome glad to have you the more the merrier.
By the way, when the 9.11 terrorist attacks happened, Canadians took in tens of thousands of American airline travelers, and kept them comfortable for several days, with some people even taking these travelers into their own homes. Canadians have also contributed large amounts of money to the 9.11 charities, etc.
When friends reach out to help, most people are appreciative, but I guess there's no pleasing some arrogant SOB's.
While they are touring with the UN and a pot full of questionable NGO's - no body is covering our back.
If we do something 'unilaterally' about the border - we're being arrogant and unappreciative.
If another bus load of terrorists cruises across either border into the US - who's city will pay for it?
First World War
YPRES, 1915, '17
Arleux
FREZENBERG
Hill 70
Bellewaarde
PASSCHENDAELE
MOUNT SORREL
AMIENS
Somme, 1916
SCARPE, 1918
FLERS-COURCELETTE
Hindenburg Line
Ancre Heights
Canal Du Nord
Arras, 1917-18
PURSUIT TO MONS
VIMY, 1917
FRANCE AND FLANDERS, 1914-18
Second World War
LANDING IN SICILY
RIMINI LINE
LEONFORTE
SAN FORTUNATO
Agira
Savio Brisgehead
Sicily, 1943
Naviglio Canal
THE MORO
FOSSO MUNIO
THE GULLY
Granarola
Liri Valley
Italy, 1943-1945
HITLER LINE
Appeldoorn
GOTHIC LINE
NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1945
Korea
KOREA, 1950-1953
KAPYONG
The 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry, has a unique distinction. This battalion received the Distinguished Unit Citation from the President of the United States to recognize its stand near Kapyong, Korea, in April 1951. Equating to a battle honour, the Citation is represented by a streamer four feet in length and two and three-quarter inches in width, bearing the name of the action, attached to the pike of the regimental Colour. The use of this streamer in accordance with American practice was authorized by King George VI.
In addition to the streamer, the Presidential Citation is also worn on the uniform. It is a small royal blue bar with gold trim.
Although battle honours are awarded on a regimental basis, and the whole of the PPCLI carries Kapyong on its colours, the distinction of bearing this streamer belongs to 2 PPCLI alone, and is carried on the battalions regimental colour. The badge is also unique to 2PPCLI.
Kapyong was a rear guard action.
In Passchendale, the Somme, Vimy Ridge, Dieppe, Kapyong and in a host of peace keeping duties from Cyprus to Yugoslavia and East Timor, Canadians have fought and died bravely in defense of their Queen, Country, and Freedom.
You can educate yourself on Canadian Military at this site: Veterans Affairs Canada
Come on, you've been around Freerepublic long enough not to be so thin-skinned.
We're just funnin' ya'. We love our neighbors to the north.
Now, "lighten up, Francis".
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