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6 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, July 1, 2010 OPINION Wave the flag While all of the flag-waving that's been going on during the current World Cup of soccer is a wonderful reminder of the diverse ancestral roots of so many Canadians, we hope that every citizen of this country will take a moment today (July 1) to celebrate the red and white, maple leaf-emblazoned flag of the nation they now call home. While Canada Day is a celebration of the 143rd anniversary of our country's founding fathers signing the official declaration of a confederated Dominion of Canada, the familiar flag that flew so proudly-- and frequently-- at last winter's Olympic Games in Vancouver has a much shorter history. On February 15, 1965, then Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson and Governor-General Georges Vanier hosted the official ceremony at Parliament Hill in Ottawa to inaugurate the flag that had been chosen by the Senate and House of Commons Committee-- and later proclaimed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II-- from among hundreds of submitted designs. "The flag is the symbol of the nation's unity, for it, beyond any doubt, represents all the citizens of Canada without distinction of race, language, belief or opinion," said Maurice Bourget, then speaker of the senate, on the day our flag became official. Here in Canada, we have much to celebrate on July 1. Despite our nation's relative youth, we are a people that have accomplished and contributed so much to the world. We are known as much for our bravery and honour as for our compassion and tolerance. We are extremely fortunate to have access to health care, education and the right to exercise free speech, while not being subjected to political oppression, revolution or war. If you consider yourself a proud Canadian, feel free to engage in a little flag-waving patriotism tomorrow. Happy Canada Day. 905-873-0301 Publisher: Ken Nugent General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@independentfreepress.com) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@independentfreepress.com) Managing editor: John McGhie (jmcghie@independentfreepress.com) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@independentfreepress.com) Classifieds Kristie Pells (classified@independentfreepress.com) Accounting Rose Marie Gauthier Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@independentfreepress.com) Ted Brown: Photography (tbrown@independentfreepress.com) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@independentfreepress.com) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@independentfreepress.com) WEB POLL RESULTS Do you support Halton municipalities incorporating bicycle lanes into any future plans for area roadways? · Yes (63%) · No (37%) Steve Nease Go to www.independentfreepress.com Letters to the editor Mom laments stolen stroller Dear editor, As a stay-at-home mom, I spend a good chunk of quality time with my toddler at the Georgetown Ontario Early Years Centre at 96 Guelph Street. It is one of our most favourite places to go and we're there a few times a week. My daughter just can't get enough-- the facility is great and the ladies on staff are very special individuals. Unfortunately, that's where my daughter's red Bugaboo stroller was stolen on Monday, June 7 between 10 and 11 a.m.-- plucked from a row of no less than eight other unattended strollers. The staff and other local moms have been nothing but supportive, not to mention shocked that someone in our midst would venture to stoop so low as to steal from a baby in broad daylight. I purchased our high end stroller for $900 during the summer I was pregnant. I was still living and working full time in the city, so I busted my very pregnant butt to save and save for half the cost of the stroller. The other half of the money came as a gift from my in-laws. I would still like to think that there aren't those in Georgetown that would take advantage of the trust we have in our community. But I fear that I may be being naive. I'm realizing now that the stroller is probably long gone and I shouldn't dwell on it-- not only on the stroller, but on the sentimental attachment to an object that took up a lot of space. We'll still be at the OEYC, having an awesome time in a safe and fun environment, but we'll be sure to lock up our little umbrella stroller out front. Sarah Lennox, Georgetown night as you seem to be holding my family's life in your hands. Instead of my children learning that the world can be a better place if we try, you squash the dream by committing this senseless act of greed. For what? What did you profit? Why did you pick my purse out of all the others purses that were underneath the table and, not to mention, more expensive. Why not just toss my keys or wallet or maybe the whole purse in the bar after you realized you couldn't make any money from it? Please, could you just reach inside your heart and have some compassion for a couple of broken hearts? As a child I was taught that trust is earned, not given. Please don't take what doesn't belong to you, do the right thing. Return any of the items to the Georgetown police station on Guelph Street-- no questions asked. Please help us to restore trust, honesty and integrity back into our lives and community. The purse is a "Baggy Jeans" make which looks like the top part of a pair of blue denim jeans and has an oval-shaped diamond belt buckle. N. Snyder, Georgetown Letters to the editor policy Letters must include an address and daytime telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 150 words and may be edited for content and/or length. Publication is not guaranteed. E-mail: jmcghie@independentfreepress.com Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. Please return purse Dear editor, To whoever stole my purse at The McGibbon on Saturday, June 12. When my five-year-old daughter found out that I had no longer had our special mommy-daughter purses, she began crying. To us this meant the world. What does it mean to you? All your memories will be about how you acquired the purse. My children and I are afraid to sleep at The Independent & Free Press The Independent & Free Press is published Tuesday and Thursday and is one of several Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Editorial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.