I had wanted to write a piece about the 90th Anniversary of Beaumont Hamel and the dichotomy of the July 1 Holiday... but I find it difficult to put to words. With July 1 vast approaching I will offer this simple act of remembrance:
"On July 1, 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme in World War I, 800 soldiers of the 1st Newfoundland Regiment rose from the British trenches and went into battle at Beaumont-Hamel, nine kilometres north of Albert in France. The next day, only 68 men answered the regimental role call. 255 were dead, 386 were wounded, and 91 were listed as missing."
On Saturday July 1 at 8:50am in Ottawa there will be a rare acknowledgement of Newfoundland and Labrador's exceptional role in the battle of the Somme. "Canada Day" overshadows this darker day in this province. On this, the 90th Anniversary of Beaumont Hamel - Remember...
6 comments:
The fact that NL is now part of Canada makes the dark day of July 1st even darker... Maybe if we hadn't lost so many good men during both World Wars our history could have turned much differently.
I watched the remembrance ceremony in Ottawa. Cpl. Murphy's Mother, The Newfoundland and Labrador flag flying, and N&L music. It was a very welcome recognition of N&L contribution before confederation. More of that sort of realization of the part this place has played and the contributions we've made will go a long way in healing some feelings of betrayal and neglect.
It was impossible to watch with a dry eye.
BNB said... "More of that sort of realization of the part this place has played and the contributions we've made will go a long way in healing some feelings of betrayal and neglect."
Not in my mind. Central Canuckistan is comprised of nothing but a bunch of opportunists and 'recognition' of NL'ians in any capacity is nothing more than a continuance of the charade used to convince us that we're 'wanted'.
Never forgive, never forget... It's time for us to go.
NLP you may very well be right. I've mostly taken the softline approach that there is perhaps a more equitable place for us in Canada. But I also take the hardline in knowing that it will not come without a strong coordinated effort.
With so much already invested into the federation do we fight for our proper place, or do we pick up and leave? It's a big question.
What investments??? We didn't invest in the federtation... They took from us! And if we did fight and achieve our 'proper place', it would only serve to increase already existing mainland hostilities toward us. I honestly believe it's time we reclaim what's ours (Upper Churchill, Voisey's Bay, offshore oil fields, what's left of the fishery and forestry) and left Canuckistan. Economically, we'd be better off negotiating trade deals with the US and EU (we should probably even apply for EU membership).
what are the 'economic' realities of separation? (I really don't know...)
it seems to me that small pieces of economic geography are swallowed up by the larger ones all the time. Right now we are being screwed by Canada. Would a free NL have a better trade relationship with Canada? with USA? maybe, but its difficult to percieve that when everyone else is coming together (trade and economics wise) , that breaking away, in this day and age, would be beneficial.
For my part, at this time, I think we can and will eventually win a better deal with big brother. Think the yanks will give us any room to manouver in negotiation? softwood lumber come to mind? Intervention in Latin America ring any bells?
remaining in Canada is the lesser of two evils IMO. I don't think that an independant NL can make it in this globalised economy of today. I think we need to keep fighting for a better deal and to hell with ignorant arseholes who claim we don't deserve it!
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