Op-Ed Article

Freedom of Speech as a Defense of the Canadian War Museum

In reference to WWII veteran Mr. Harry Major's letter of June 29, 2007, I think much of the anger felt by our veterans is based on the ongoing insult by our federally funded, Ottawa based, Canadian War Museum.

In the Bomber Command display there is accompanying signage questioning the morality of Bomber Command during WWII.  The sign's verbiage is considered contentious and insulting to our veterans.  They are further disappointed that CWM's callous Bomber Command insult has been defended in the name of our guaranteed freedom of speech.  This is not a question of freedom of speech; this is a question of accuracy and respect.  To single out one aspect of warfare and question the morality of these assigned bomber command missions is outrageous and inappropriate.

Do we question the morality of those who built the bombs?  The politicians who assigned the retaliatory goal of bringing a totalitarian regime to its knees?  Where are the other signs in the museum decrying the morality of the other disciplines of warfare?  Why these young men and women.  CWM describes this as an issue raised during WWII.  It was wrong to label those in Bomber Command as immoral then as it is now. Why fan the flames of this insult?  It does nothing but denigrate the memory of the 55,000 young people who made up Bomber Command aircrew in World War II, suffering 60% killed, with almost 10,000 Canadian dead.  The highest casualty rate of the war.

This museum signage disrespects our few remaining veterans and those who have died and can no longer speak for themselves.  It fans the flames of derision and is insulting to our veterans.

I suspect the reason that so many of our veterans have not responded vociferously is due in large part because they are tired of fighting the fight.  They feel alone, under attack, forgotten.  I fear they hold their memories as personal and only worthy of those who they defended at that time.  There is a possibility many have decided that our generation is simply not worthy.  My God this worries me.  I fear for the loss of our much diminished sense of Canadian pride and nationalism.  Shame on these CWM revisionist fools and fops.  I recommend we all stay away until they come to their senses.

Per Ardua ad Astra

S. Michael Beale Pres. Canadian Historical Aircraft Association 

http://www.ch2a.ca

Related Material

Mr. Harry Major's letter of June 29, 2007, to The Windsor Star

Canadian War Museum Bomber Command Page

Ottawa Citizen Article, "War museum, CEO part ways"
Bomber exhibit controversy revealed he was 'wrong man' to run institution, veterans official says.

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