County's stance on troops is commendable

Whether you agree or not with the principles or reasoning behind our nation’s involvement in the war in Afghanistan, the fact is some of our finest young men and women are serving our country and some have made the ultimate sacrifice in doing so.

With military installments such as 14 Wing Greenwood and Camp Aldershot here as huge economic and employment generators for the region and with local men and women representing the interests of our country overseas, you could quite easily make the case that the military actively supports all of us.

Thus, it makes sense that staff members at the Municipality of the County of Kings came forward with a request to display “Support Our Troops” decals on municipal vehicles. Deputy Warden Diana Brothers brought the matter to the committee of the whole (COTW) last week for discussion. She made a motion to allow “Support Our Troops” decals on county vehicles and expanded the idea to allow staff to wear red on Fridays as a show of support for our troops.

There was a short discussion but, in the end, the concept was supported unanimously. Although he said he supports the troops fully, councillor Wayne Atwater expressed concern that there are vehicle decals available in support of several good causes and, since municipal vehicles are public property, if they allowed “Support Our Troops” decals, the others should be supported as well.

However, Brothers said the situation with the troops is different, although she supports of other causes Atwater mentioned. She said we should be proud of our troops and show that pride, considering the presence of 14 Wing Greenwood and Camp Aldershot in Kings County.

Although Atwater has a point that municipal vehicles are publicly owned and that the other good causes deserve recognition as well, we agree with Brothers that the situation with the troops is different. They’re looking out for the well-being of all Canadians through their work overseas and there isn’t anything wrong with a visual sign of support from local governments.

As individual human beings and fellow Canadians, we believe our troops deserve our support, whether or not you agree with the politics behind the military initiative or whether you support the war in general.

Some of these Canadians won’t see home again and it must be great for the morale of our young men and women to know the folks at home are behind them.

We appreciate Atwater’s point of view that you can’t have decals in support of every good cause out there on county vehicles because that would be impractical. He has merely a sense of fairness in mind when voicing such concern and it shouldn’t be construed as a lack of support for the troops.

As well, it’s not being exclusionary for council to endorse the display of “Support Our Troops” decals on county vehicles. Exceptional circumstances require extraordinary action, and we believe council’s initiative is commendable.