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gy i VIEWPOINT by John B. McClelland ba NORMANDY AND OT OTHER THOUGHTS I happened to catch most of an | American TV program last week called "Turning Point, A Soldier's Story." It was very wéll done with excellent interviews with men who were there 50 years ago when Allied Forces hit the beaches of Normandy to start the liberation of western Europe. The show was hosted by Peter Jennings and included plenty of original footage of battle scenes, the huge pre-invasion preparations in England; and some current scenes of what Normandy looks like today. It was, I must say, both informative and interesting. However, I couldn't help but think to myself that anyone watching that two-hour program who had no knowledge of D-Day would have come away with the impression that it was virtually an American operation. Aside from one brief interview with a Canadian vet and a couple with vets from the British forces, virtually all of the program was devoted to the American efforts. OK, this was an American progr I think it is fair to say that even today, in 1994, Canada's contribution to victory in the Second World War gets over-lookel, or if not over-looked does not get 'the recognition it deserves. Perhaps our education system should develop a mandatory course on the history of the Canadian military, covering not just the contributions made in the two world wars and Korea, but also the peacekeeping efforts since 1945. Just as Canada moved from colony to nation, so did the military, and ~ every Canadian should at least have some knowledge of this process. But this perhaps a topic for some future column. The celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the Normandy invasion are over. The Canadians fortunate enough to be part of them in France this June are on their way home with new memories they will treasure forever. I understand that preparations are already underway for another 50th anniversary celebration--this one the liberation of the Netherlands next spring. Canadians had a major role in aimed at audiences in the Uniti "Wriving the Germans out of the States, so one can understand why "Netherlands and Belgium in the late most of the cogent was American But I was shocked at how little mention there was of the Canadian and British contributions. I would have hoped for a bit of balance and a bit more recognition of what all the Allied Forces did that historic day 50 years ago. I did some reading in William Shirer's exhaustive study of Nazi Germany called "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich," and the chapter on the Normandy Invasion barely mentions Canada. In fact, whenever Canada is mentioned it is invariably as the "Anglo-Canadian" forces, and there is no reference to Juno Beach at all. I am not blaming the author who wrote this book more than 30 years ago. That's the way he saw history But it is interesting to note that in this book, the Dieppe raid of 1943 does not even get a mention, not one word. Yet close to 1,000 Canadians lost their lives in this debacle, another 2,000 were captured and the lessons learned at Dieppe were put to good use at Normandy and probably saved a good many Allied lives winter and spring of 1945, and of course the Dutch have never forgotten I suspect Netherlands and its citizens will put on quite a show when the Canadians return next year. IN CLOSING: When 1 travelled through the Netherlands some 20 years ago, I was treated very nicely when people found out my nationality. I vividly remember hitch- hiking along the North Sea towards the German border and a farmer stopped his truck to give me a ride. He was middle-aged and spoke good English. When I told him I was going to travel through Germany, he nodded his head and said he would go out of his way to drive me to the border. Bot when we approached Germany, he stopped the truck several hundred yards from the border and said he would go no closer. He shook my hand, wished me well, turned the truck around and drove away. As | walked toward the border, | wondered what memories he carried from those terrible war years. -- Gougog Cllzen -- Tuesday, June, 1904 -- 9 dm Godiaing students : enjoyed a fine evening To the Editor: Congratulations to the 180 fine young ladies and gentlemen who made the Graduation Class of '94', dinner and dance at the Sheraton Hotel Saturday evening, such a success. In times of adverse comments towards to days young adults, it was refreshing to see such a large group of friends enjoy a fantastic evening to finalize their high school academic endeavors. As one of a group of invited chaperons the pleasure was all mine to be part of your special event. The Port Perry High School, , and the Be proud of this group of graduates yo their mature outlook towards fun and fellowship. Thank-you for a great evening. + Cheryl Smart Port Perry. the Local land use policy To the Editor; 1 write to council to confirm my opinion of land use in our township and the future danger of same. _ Presently all land in the rural area is classed as agriculture and people are led to believe no residences should be allowed. This leads to a shortage of new home sites and forces our young families to pay high prices for homes. Our system is now dependent on a larger lagoon which will cause more pollution in our lake and eventually a downturn in the tourist trade. Taxpayers are being exploited to subsidize the large farm operations who are eliminating the small family farms. It is more, logical to allow all land owners to sell parts of their lands so they may stay self sufficient and not survive on handouts. Additionally the Scugog tax base wil enlarged at no extra cost. This, wi 'reduce tax on present owners whowill no longer pay tax to maintain unused roads. With a new management system Scugog can reduce taxes by as much as 20 percent. Yours truly, Doug Wilson R.R.#2 Port Perry Island group will cali» public meeting soon To the Editor: The expulsion of our MPP Gordon Mills from the Legislative Assembly at Queen's Park 'is another highlight in our struggle against a large scale gambling facility on Scugog Island. This occupred on Thursday, June 2, 1994 and involved the reading into the record of Scugog Council's Resolution No. 94-300, whj imply asks the i and Corporate licence until a social concerns can be addressed. Since June 1993, according to the Honorable Marilyn Chygley, they have been working on a gaming code, and haven't succeeded, as yet. In the same year, there has been no consultation with the balance of the C ity and absolutely no p or studies concerning Roads, Hydro, Potable Water, Sewage, Traffic, all matters which will affect all people living on or visiting Scugog Island. Mr. Mills expulsion was triggered by his attack on the truth of the Scugog Township Council Resolution read by P.C.Ernie Eves MPP, Parry Sound. I received a letter on Friday, June 3, 1994 from Honorable Bob Rae, Premier of Ontario, thanking me for bringing our problems to his attention. He has directed Honorable Churley to respond to me right away. I await her response plus th inning of a tragically late proce consultation with those of us who do Bot reside on the Mississaugas Reserve. We will be pt a Public Meeting shortly. Our petition to the Ontario Government 'is well underway. Our legal position is on constant up-date. Respectfully, Joel W.Aldred DFC President Save Scugog Island Committee More about fire safety regulations To the Editor In #egards to Councillor Dietlein's letter to the Editor of the Scugog Citizen (1994 05 31 issue), | feel it is my obligation, as a resident of this township, to enlighten you about fire safety legislation in this province The Fire Marshals Act permits municipal fire inspectorwofficers to enter and inspect buildings tincluding single family residences and residential units with 2 8r more dwellings) to improve fire safety and to enforce the Ontario Fire Code This legislation, which as dramatically improved fire safety in Ontario, has existed for several years and has not "opened the door for frequent home searches for rifle ownership/storage, plumbing or energy saving problems" The intent of the draft legislation ' for basementancillary apartments is not to burden single family dwelling home owners unless that home owner is renting a portion of their home for payment and not providing adequate fire safety measures such as smoke alarms, exits, fire separations and a fire extinguisher Additionally, it has become a reality that home owners are renting the basements of their homes (despite local toning legislation) to supplement their income and these apartments - & have become a common affordable housing method Inspections of these two unit residential occupancies will, in most cases, be initiated by request or complaint and will not cause an inspection of every home in Ontario. It is unfortunate, as you detailed in your letter, that individuals do not accept some responsibility for their own fire safety by purchasing a $10.00 smoke alarm. The reality is, mahy Ontario homes (including rental units) do not have operable smoke alarms. Once again, | request meeting with you (Councillor Dietlein) to impress upon you ' the importance of additional fire safety in basementancillary apartments. Yours truly, Gord Getting Caesarea Sacrifice laid to waste To the Editor; * To those of my family, of my neighbours and of my ancestors whose honourable actions sought to defeat bigotry, prejudice and religioud persecution I must express a most shameful apology 1 Most recent actions and reactions of organizations and individuals on issues both international and local are laying to waste the purpose of their most supreme sacrifice It seems as though the longest day has been established to be but no more than fifty years 1 shall welcome the opportunity to play binga in a hall of the First Nations people, but never, in the halls of a legion D. Buller Scugog Township