CANADA AND THE U.S.

A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

rmal">    Well Rotarian of the Day, J. Brown, kept up his winning ways with a wonderful program presented by Brigadier General Peter Atkinson, Deputy Commanding General – Canada.  Gen. Atkinson has been in the military for over 33 years.  Gen. Atkinson joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1977.  He graduated from the Royal Military College in 1981.  He has commanded forces while serving in The Royal Canadian Dragoons.  He also graduated from the Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College, the Canadian Forces College, and the U.S. Army War College.  He was also taught National Security Policy and Strategy at the U.S. Army War College.  It was clear to his audience that Gen. Atkinson honed incredible communication and leadership skills which he used to mesmerize us on Thursday. 

    After some good natured ribbing about the Canadian/U.S. Olympic hockey matches, Gen. Atkinson reminded us that Canada and the U.S. have been called “children of a common mother.”  Comparing our respective histories, the U.S. might be called the rebellious child, while Canada was the more patient one.  This analogy works, UNLESS YOU ARE PLAYING IN A HOCKEY GAME, WATCHING A HOCKEY GAME, THINKING ABOUT HOCKEY, OR CAN SAY WAYNE GRETZKY…I think you get the point!  When it comes to hockey, we are both rebellious siblings.

    Gen. Atkinson also reminded us of the long history of cooperation between Canada and the U.S.  Actually cooperation is an understatement.  When our country and nation were reeling from the shock and aftermath of 9/11, Canada opened its 17 airports to accept flights destined for the U.S.  This resulted in about 33,000 travelers being stranded in Canada.  In fact, these travelers were not stranded by any means as Canadians who lived in close proximity to those 17 airports opened their hearts, and in some cases their homes, to accommodate the travelers.  What a wonderful show of humanity.

    Canadian military traveled to the U.S. Gulf Coast to help those devastated by Hurricane Katrina.  They were also mobilized to assist Canadians affected by a life-threatening ice storm, and Canadian and U.S. citizens affected by the flooding in the Red River Valley.  More recently, Canadian personnel have helped in the Haitian catastrophe.

    On a more somber note, Gen. Atkinson recounted how Canadians have fought side-by-side with the U.S. in virtually every major international conflict.  Over 500 Canadian service personnel and civilians have lost their lives in the wars involving Iraq and Afghanistan.  These losses have been hard on Canadians.  They have shown their unity and support for the Canadian military with “red t-shirt day” on Parliament Hill and by lining the 137 highway overpasses leading to Downtown Toronto creating the “Highway of Heroes” in honor of those who have died while serving in places like Afghanistan.

    Gen. Atkinson spoke proudly of how the NATO Coalition Forces are fighting hard in Afghanistan.  He summed it up by saying that the Coalition Forces understand that they all have a common goal based on knowing that freedom at home must be paid for and secured.  

    Gen. Atkinson noted that Canada has a three-prong focus.  There is the Canada First Defense Strategy, then North America (North American Aerospace Defense Command -NORAD) and then abroad.  Canada views the current war in Afghanistan critical.  It has a joint force involved in this particular war, the Canadian Army, Navy and Air Force.  The Canadians have a forward operating base in the mountainous regions in Afghanistan from which they help protect Coalition Forces, as well as train and mentor Afghan soldiers and local security forces.  They also have used international laws to intercept vessels carrying weapons to supply the Taliban.  As Gen. Atkinson put it, when the Coalition Forces leave Afghanistan, the hard fought victories, the lives that were sacrificed by Afghans and Coalition Forces alike, and the never-ending diplomatic efforts to create a secure Afghanistan should not have been in vain. 

     Gen. Atkinson described some of the very advanced equipment that is in use in Afghanistan.   While this sophisticated materiel is impressive, the mountainous, arid, inhospitable geography of Afghanistan means the brunt of the war must be fought in the “Old School” style, to wit by the infantry.  Therefore, Gen. Atkinson’s focus is on doing all in his power to support those brave service personnel.

     How does he do his part?  He has trained more than 39 brigades for combat in Afghanistan and Iraq.  He has a commitment to those individuals to prepare military personnel for the rigors and dangers they will face in combat.   He accepts that there were will be losses, as such is the nature of war.  Nevertheless he can look with pride on the many who have survived and will survive because of his skill and dedication.  He can watch in amazement as severely injured soldiers are fitted with prosthetics that enable them to achieve remarkable goals such as completing marathons.  He can speak with pride about the donations by Canadians that support research that continues to restore lives and, in turn, families, and the Canadian national sports teams that organize military appreciation nights.

    Gen. Atkinson is due to return to Canada in the summer of 2011, unless his superiors have other plans.   This may be a fortuitous event for Canada as tensions in the Arctic Circle “heat up.”  Pardon the poor pun, but the fact remains that as the Arctic Ice melts, heretofore unnavigable waterways are becoming valuable sea routes and natural resources may be exploited.  Canada conducts training exercises in the Arctic Circle, as well as maintaining a UHF communication system and stationing military personnel in that area.  This preparedness is not misguided as Russia flexes its muscle in the region. 

Through it all we are all safer because of Gen. Atkinson and his able team. 

Here’s a double-double to you General!