Don’t think I was Wrong!

Not trying to be a smart Alec here, but quite honestly I never for a moment considered MacLauchlan as a good prospect as the Island Premier. Now it has become abundantly clear he is just another Liberal Hack out to line his and his friends pockets. This is one more clear reason why we need electoral reform. Please consider this when we have the plebiscite in November, vote one of two choices DMP or MMP please not FPTP.

Letter by Dale Small Vision PEI

I Was Wrong

OK I know it’s hard to believe. My friends and legion of fans will be shocked! How could this be possible? Joking aside, the sad and disappointing truth is that I was wrong about our Premier, Wade MacLauchlan. I supported him in the last election. I argued with friends and acquaintances on behalf of him, and told all who would listen that he would be a fine Premier. Transformative, I declared!

The major factor influencing my opinion was his book: Alex Campbell-The Premier Who Rocked the Cradle. Read it cover-to-cover in one sitting….loved it. I remember those days. Premier Campbell was a home town hero to me; a larger than life person who literally transformed PEI…some say for the better, others disagree. In any event, he was and is a true Island patriot and a man of the utmost integrity; a man with vision! I argued that if MacLauchlan was half the man Campbell was, PEI would be well served.

A further factor I considered was that Mr. MacLauchlan is independently wealthy: beholden to no one I believed; a man raised on the periphery of the political scene who had seen it all and was unlikely to wallow in the political mire of PEI politics; a man ready to make a difference; a transformative leader in waiting. To date, in my view, he has failed us.

All I have seen and heard is politics as usual. Patronage abounds. Corporate farmers are treated as privileged citizens to the detriment of all others. Despite all the talk about transparency there is a culture of secrecy. Sketchy loans and appointments to party insiders are commonplace.

I am appalled; where is the vision? Where are the lessons learned from Alex Campbell?

PEI, in the view of many, is in an extended period of decline. Low wages. Break even (at best) in our primary industries. Our young and educated leaving because of the lack of opportunity.

Islanders crave a long term vision; a big picture roadmap to a diversified economy based on excellence. An island free from the destruction of our watersheds and environment. An island governed responsibly, and free of the ugly, secretive privilege afforded to a small cadre of insiders. Mr. MacLauchlan please stand up and prove me wrong again.

Dale Small is one of the founders of Vision PEI

God Bless and keep reading.

My Blog Signature????God Bless

I wonder if some of my blog followers/readers are curious why I sign off  all my blogs with the following.

“God Bless and keep reading”

Some might think I’m a wee bit religious maybe a bit of a religious zealot. They might think I’m Mormon or Jehovah Witness.  Because I’m from Ireland they might think I’m a devout Catholic, or fanatic Orange lodge member! I hope no one thinks I’m a Baptist or Ultra Evangelistic. Well folks I’m none of those things, merely a member of the United Church of Canada. I have been a member for some 50 years and attend Sunday service on a fairly regular basis. I do not attempt to push my faith on others, do not look down my nose on those who do not agree with my beliefs. I mind my own business and worship in my own way. So why do I sign off with the words GOD BLESS.????? Well, some time ago I heard that it was politically incorrect and no longer allowed in Government Offices to say the words GOD BLESS YOU, when some one sneezes! It was considered these harmless two words could offend! I have used this term my whole life and have absolutely no intention to stop using it now because it might offend someone! Egad!!!!, what is this world coming too, such a ridiculous idea.  This is/was a christian country and we hold our beliefs and traditions as sacred. If it really offends some other religions then my advice is not to listen and ignore. Celebrate your faith as you wish and allows us to do the same. Christmas is about twelve weeks away, and the words Merry Christmas will soon be heard everywhere, Nativity scenes and concerts will flourish in our schools, village halls and churches. I will joyfully sing traditional Christmas carols and deck the halls with ivy. Greet friends and neighbours wishing then  seasons greetings and a very Merry Christmas. Not as has been suggested. say “Happy Holidays”

So folks now you know why I sign off as I do.

GOD BLESS and keep reading

Letter sent to Legion Magazine

Attached is the letter I sent to the Legion magazine a couple of months ago, it was never published, which quite frankly, did not come as a surprise.

magazine@legion.ca

I’m sending this article in to you in the hope you will publish it. However, I suspect that will not happen, if that is the case its a shame because we have a serious issue with medals and other items.

It is utterly wrong for the legion to be selling these cheap $25 medals, cheap clay earrings, umbrellas,coffee mugs etc, all embossed with the sacred Poppy. The Poppy was never intended for this purpose, just as the Poppy fund was never intended to be used for items other than needy veterans and their families. Please be well aware I’m not some discontented member who only wants to vent his anger. There are thousands of members who feel as I do. Our purpose is not to destroy the legion or besmirch its reputation, I think that has already happened. We want to see changes that will correct the present course Dominion Command are steering. We need immediate transparency regarding salaries, expenses and travel. We need immediate changes to associate membership, no wearing these legion service medals, substitute lapel pins. The legion claims, to allow blood relatives to wear late veterans medals, dilutes the value of the medal. They are doing that now allowing these nasty right breast legion service decorations. Please read my article and have the courage to publish it.

Thank You  F.Ben Rodgers.  Wellington Branch PEI.

God Bless and keep reading

This Dilutes the Value How????????

The wearing of medals by blood relatives. My goodness when I mention this its like I have stirred up a hornets nest. Protesters come out of the woodwork claiming it dilutes the value of the medals. They do this while wearing a chest full of legion service medals, these are not real medals, more like custom jewelry. I fail to understand how they can protest so loudly under these circumstances. I think I would be embarrassed to tell an eighty year old widow to remove her late husbands medals or face arrest. Even worse, To do it while wearing eight or nine service medals on the right breast, it just amazes me.  I do understand not everyone agrees with relatives wearing these medals, and that is fine, they and their relatives do not have to participate. They can carry their frame displays to Remembrance Services as their particular mark of respect. However, do not tell those who wish to honour a veteran by wearing his/her medals as our particular mark of respect that we are breaking the law. Please do not tell me you are just obeying the law, if the legion petitioned the dept of Justice the law would be amended . I have fought this issue until I’m blue in the face and still only find obstinate refusal to even discuss the subject. Would someone please tell me why this is such a dreadful thing to ask for????  The Royal Canadian Legion are now selling these service medals and will declare to us that it is quite right to do so. When was it ever right to sell medals in this venerable veteran organization? medals should be earn in the service of ones country. As the legion so often tell us, allowing a relative to wear a late loved ones medals dilutes its value. Perhaps they can explain how wearing these right breast legion trinkets adds value, and provides pride and honour to the wearers. Hmm, maybe I have just hit the nail on the head, Note — almost all associate members wear these medals

These two Legion medals can be purchased for just $25 ea plus P&P

I rest my case  “Again”

God Bless and keep reading

A brief after thought!

I always read through my blogs before posting to check for errors and spelling and it occurs after reading this blog that it is reasonable and quite sensible. Surely the Legion want to provide a system that fits with all of its members. Why is there such resistance to blood relatives wearing their loved ones medals. How does it affect those who oppose it, how does it offend or diminish the value of wearing a medal with pride and remembrance. I have yet to receive a reasonable answer to these questions, to merely state it dilutes the value of the medal is not an answer! Stating the legion is only obeying the law is also a lame response.

Royal Scottish Legion.

Outrageous!!! allowing young children and cadets to dilute the value of war medals. This could never happen in Canada, our respectful young boys and girls enter a colour posters contest.It is such a more respectful way to promote history and  Remembrance. On second thoughts, I think I’ll join the Royal Scottish Legion

·

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Take part in the 16/17 primary schools competition. Legion Scotland believes that educating young people about their communities’ history and the effect of war is…

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Bravo Zulu Scotland.

God Bless and keep reading.

Rituals & Insignia. another Update and Correction

Sorry about the misunderstandings over the issue of wearing-not wearing qualification badges-wings etc. It now seems I have the correct story, and have attached it below in this blog. James also highlights a serious issue in his email, whether intentional or by accident, regarding associate members voting to change policy and direction of the Legion.(admitting their ignorance). The fact many of them did not understand the significance of a veteran wearing his Dolphins-wings, is or should be of serious concern. I believe we have here, one of the major reasons the Legions are losing veterans and no new veterans are joining. Surely on issues that have a direct bearing that effect veterans, then only veterans should be entitled to vote.

I have attached a second email received from Robby. This too makes a lot of sense regarding the wearing of legion service medals. Only actual medals awarded for military service should be permitted to be worn in legion uniforms. All other right breast service medals should be replaced with lapel pins. I realize I do not have all the answers, however the two issues highlighted in this blog, if enacted would go a long way to improving relations between veterans and associates.

Received from James Smith.

The information you have received is incorrect . At the Dominion Convention in June a motion was put forward to formally add a section in the Ritual and Insignia manual to allow the wearing of these earned hazard and/or qualification badges. Presently there is no mention of them. The motion was defeated and therefore the present status quo remains in effect as written in Ritual and Insignia. That status quo is as I said nothing. There is nothing in there specifically stating that said badges can be worn, and there is also nothing in there that specifically prohibits the wearing of them. Now if sometime in the future the powers that be actually amend the book and add a section specifically prohibiting the wearing of said badges then the wearing of them would be against legion rules. At present it is not. This motion was narrowly defeated in St Johns on the floor mainly by those Associate and Affiliated delegates who admitted their ignorance of the significance of the badges and many even believing they were no more significant than the many assorted pins worn by many on their blazers which ironically are specifically prohibited in accordance with Ritual and Insignia. The issue will be returning to the convention floor in 2018——————————————————————————

Received from Robby

Hear Hear excellent answer. Canada should be like our Mother Legions. The Royal Legions of Scotland England Ireland and Wales. NO NON Military medals or Ribbons worn. In fact they do not even sell dingles as you say. Long service whether an associate or regular member in UK is awarded a Lapel Pin Only.
Robby

God Bless and keep reading

Ritual & Insignia Dress Code Update

It seems we now have a clear answer to my early question regarding the wearing of wings-dolphins-paratrooper wings etc. The answer is NO, we are not allowed to wear these designations on our legion uniforms. I find that just so offensive that I will not wear the legion uniform ever again, nor will I renew my legion membership. How can the people in leadership positions pass such a rule and in the same breath claim they are working hard to recruit new veterans???It boggles the mind!!! Explain why associate members wearing chest’s full of right breast service medals while prancing around like real veterans is okay. However, a veteran proud of his or her service may not wear an earned and entitled trade insignia.  Frankly I want nothing more to do with the legion, I know some have stated its a rule that will not be enforced, but that is not good enough. I cannot understand the rationale behind this ridiculous rule. Its as if the associate members do not want veterans wearing insignia that they themselves can never wear. They do not want blood relatives to wear late loved ones medals (right breast) but they want to wear as many legion right breast medals as they can earn or indeed buy!!!! We hear much talk about change, but I do not see it happening, at least not change to entice veterans to remain as members or new veterans to join. This  is an attack on veterans and is a rule that should never have been passed in the first place. I have copied below the responses I received via Face Book.

Frederick Rodgers Joe I’m trying to verify the following, is it now part of RCL uniform dress rules that veterans may not wear trade badges wings dolphins etc

s

 

Jo Gunny Gilliland Yes. Im answering for him. At Dominion Convention it was ruled they can no longer be worn ..Military Legion attendees were outnumbered and the vote went thru. (I was there too) . In my opinion not one single Veteran is gonna remove them ..especially seeing all the pins worn on others Legion uniforms. 😊

 

Joe Elliott Gunny is correct. I’m guessing it will be a rule that isn’t enforced…

Ronald Content Frankly, some civilian tells me to remove my jump wings is going to end up wishing they hadn’t spoken to me.

When a rule is enacted there is generally a reason for it. What was the reason given for this particular dress rule????

God Bless and keep reading

 

 

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Christmas is only fourteen Fridays away!!!!!

Thought this might be a good time to promote one of my three books!!!

The Royal Navy & Me

 

Now available as an E-Book, go to http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/irishrover

This is a story told through the eyes of a young sailor who joined the Royal Navy in 1955 as a Boy Seaman 2nd class, the absolute lowest rank in the Navy. Follow his induction at HMS Ganges, the toughest boy’s training establishment in England, if not the world, and his first assignment to HMS Cockade in time to visit Australia for the opening of the 1956 Olympic games. This is a thoroughly amusing tale, tempered with dark moments of despair, as he visits islands in the South Pacific, tours Hong Kong, Korea and Japan, passes through the Suez Canal en-route to Malta and Gibraltar, helps to capture an Icelandic boarding party during the Cod Wars. He dives in a submarine to play cat and mouse with our Cold War adversaries, surfaces through the polar ice at the top of the world, feel the tension in the submarine as it sinks toward crush depth. Laugh at the antics of his fellow sailors and the strange situations they found themselves in. Learn the meaning of the acronym PASAHB, and sympathize with this naive young sailor as he falls for one of the oldest tricks in the book.
Whether a sailor or a dreamer of the sea, this is one voyage not to be missed.]

CHAPTER FOUR (Excerpt)
Outside the front door we removed our shoes and tiptoed up the stairs whispering and giggling. The girl’s room was at the back of the house and furnished with two single beds. Still whispering and giggling we undressed in the dark. Danny said “hey its Christmas Eve we better get into bed before Santa arrives”. Our laughter almost gave the game away. The following morning I was suddenly and roughly shaken awake. Still half asleep and bleary eyed from last nights Chanti, I’m told to get under the bed fast. As I struggled to comply a hand swept my clothes under the bed with me. I was barely out of sigh when the door opened and a cheery voice called out “Merry Christmas girls I’ve brought you some tea and toast, did you have a good time last night? you must have been out late because we didn’t hear you come in. While she chatted with the girls I was holding my breath hoping not to be discovered. I looked across the floor between the landlady’s ankles and saw Danny under the other bed. It took all of my will power not to burst out laughing. Danny was looking at me and making silly facial expressions.

How to Buy
“Lily & Me” ISBN 1-55430-019-3 is a 396 page paperback novel.
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Also available in the UK at all WHSmith Bookstores. It is distributed by Baker & Taylor internationally and can be ordered by any bookstore. A signed copy can be ordered by contacting me.

God Bless and keep reading

Rituals & Insignia Royal Canadian Legion

So far I have failed to find conclusive proof that the wearing of Wings Dolphins etc is not permitted on Legion Uniform. I received a few comments and questions on the subject, but still find myself without an accurate answer. I looked up the manual online `Rituals & Insignia`but found nothing that directly related to rule regarding these particular badges.

http://www.legion.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/RitualandInsignia2011_e.pdf

So folks the search goes on, maybe someone with more knowledge than I will provide the answer. I must confess, it is not something that overly concerns me. I no longer think of myself a member of the legion. I will wear my blazer with submariners badge and my beret with the Naval crown, plus submarine tie. Guess that is my own uniform of choice, I doubt anyone will notice or accost me for being out of legion dress!!!! I find it so disappointing reading the number of unhappy-mistreated veterans who have commented on my blog. All have very similar complaints regarding the Poppy Fund, arrogant behavior of associate members overruling veterans, Dominion`s lack of concern or effort to correct the ongoing strife. Some ask me for advice, but what can I tell them, I have tried to reach those in Command but my pleas fall on deaf ears. My own solution is to leave at the end of this current year when my membership lapses.  I fear many others will do the same, and legion membership will continue to plummet. It is a very difficult decision, I have been a member for 30 years and have many good friends and comrades. In many ways it is hard to make the break, but each time I waiver I remember all the bad things that has brought me to this point.

God Bless and keep reading

The Wearing of Wings-Dolphins Etc on Legion Uniform

This was something I heard before, but to date have not confirmed its authenticity. I must confess I had forgotten about it until receiving the comment to my blog from Joel VanSnick.  Having read the comment(attached below) I’m asking for someone to clarify this amendment that forbids veterans to wear trade badges, wings dolphins etc with Legion uniform.. I have not actually seen this in print, and most people I have asked are not aware of the new rule.

If it is true, then my legion uniform can go in the bin! no one is going to tell me I can’t wear my submarine dolphins.

 

Especially as associate members can purchase and wear these shoddy things !!!!

 

Joel VanSnick commented on The Legion! Who Needs this S–T

Every once in a while I start to wonder why I bother. Its not like I’m getting anywhere. Dominion Command and Provincial …

I concur with Kyle, it appears that the associate membership have totally taken over the Legion that was created by Veterans, I believe in the ideals that the Legion represent but the associates membership have totally ruined what we the Veterans stand for, yes I have served my country for 35+ years and I also am always turned out properly and it irritates me to stand next to an associate member that dresses like a slob but due to the fact he has several years of standding at the same bar he is accorded the right to speak and be heard. I have no issues with the Dominion and Provincial saleries as they have a tough job to do, my only issue is with the associate members that continue to re-write the policies and procedures to suit the associate membership. For the first time since 1977 I will be removing my jump wings from my uniform and the commendation that I earned in Afghanistan since the motion to amend the Rituals manual to allow us veterans to wear our trade qualifications was voted down, I will finish my term as a Zone Commander and I will take my energy and professionalism else where. A very frustrated Veteran.

I look forward to hearing the details of this amendment to the Rituals Manual

God Bless and keep reading