Colonel Meloche

Britt introduced Colonel Louis Meloche who joined the forces in 1977, became a Captain in 1987, a Major in 1993, and in 1999 a Lt. Colonel.  He has served in Bosnia, has a commendation for his work in East Timor and is a recipient of the Order of Military Merit.  In 2007 he was promoted to full Colonel and is currently the commander of Base Borden.

The Colonel said the Base was founded in 1916, comprises 21,000 acres, has 1,000 buildings, about 4,000 permanent staff - regular forces, reserve officers and civilians.  They train between 15 and 18,000 students a year plus host a summer cadet camp for about 2,400 teenagers.  The budget, outside salaries is over $100 million and there is $200 million worth of infrastructure improvements planned so it is save to say the Base is here to stay.  Everybody involved is proud to be part of the community and he is happy to come and talk about it because the public need to know what they are paying for.

Tomorrow, he said, we honour the vets - 110,000 men and women who died in the service of our country and who fought for freedom, peace in other lands, and a better world for our children.  With the passing of John Babcock at 109, the last living link between this country and the first World War has gone and is the end of an era.  During WW I 650,000 people, about one twelfth of the country's population, served and 66,000 of them died.  Marking November 11, the date of The Armistice, the end of 'the war to end all wars' recognizes the sacrifice of so many.  During World War II Canadians served in every theatre, one million volunteers and 42,000 dead.  7,600 of them died in the campaign to free the Netherlands, a fact never forgotten by the Dutch and marked by parades, the welcome shown to visitors like the students from Midland and by the tulips sent to the National Capital every year.

This year we also celebrate 100 years of the Royal Canadian Navy which protected the supply line to Britain during both wars.

27,000 served in Korea and 516 died.  The term Veteran refers to any person who has been honourably discharged from the forces and includes those who served on peacekeeping missions, those who went to Bosnia and those in Afghanistan.  The Forces are working with their partners to stabilize that country, are working in Haiti, supported the Olympics, worked at the G 8 and G 20 summits and the flood in Newfoundland.  The Forces of today are modern, flexible, and ready to respond while honouring a proud legacy and remembering the sacrifice of all those who have gone before.

Wear a poppy, engage with a vet, open your hearts and minds.