Canada became a nation on its own in 1867. Happy Birthday Canada. 147 years to celebrate today. I’ll miss being at the celebrations in person, living as I do here in VT, but I’ll celebrate anyway the best way I can. There will be parades, picnics, BBQ parties and fireworks across the nation, including I imagine in my hometown of Nobleford AB. People will proudly fly the Maple Leaf Flag, and some will fly the Union Jack, symbol of the country since the beginning. Both flags bring their own special meaning, especially to the men and women of the Canadian Forces: air force, army and navy.
Many have fought to preserve freedoms that Canadians enjoy, in the great Wars, Korea, and yes even in Vietnam. Canadian soldiers have stood for the peace process in many parts of the world. Canada developed a well deserved recognition for that kind of service. Most recently Canada brought home its service members from Afghanistan, where lives were lost trying to help that country achieve stability and a resolve against terrorism.
At home most Canadians support the need to send soldiers into hot spots, often as part of NATO or UN commitments. The goal was and is born of a recognition that to do nothing is to invite trouble.The Canadian Forces are sustained by volunteers, willing to take on what often seems an impossible task, helping to preserve the world from the efforts of parties bound on creating havoc in the world.
Many of the characters in my novel The Chechen’s Revenge have military experience. Indeed I crafted an idea that those members of the Canadian Anti-terrorism Service (CAS), including Chief Investigator Sean-Guy O’Dwyer-Lariviere, would become reinstated as full members of the Canadian Forces, in most cases at increased brevet ranks. Their elevated ranks would help with their authority when seeking to find and disable terrorist plots inside Canada. I crafted the idea in recognition of the importance of the military for the overall safety of Canadians in the face of terrorist activities around the world and a focus sometimes against Canada because of its alliance with the USA and other Western nations. This is a reality that cannot be escaped and thus must be addressed in any fictional work of this type.
So today I celebrate Canada and its place in the world, proud of my heritage and citizenship.
Thanks for your support. Good reading friends.
Regards
Ron Stotyn, PhD
I am a retired college professor and former broadcast journalist. I live in Vermont with my wife. I write near the shores of Lake Champlain. As an author I cast characters in the task of anti-terrorism efforts. The setting for my stories is Canada. My first novel is The Chechen's Revenge, a story of Sean-Guy O'Dwyer-Lariviere and his team of Canadian Anti-terrorism Service agents on the trail of a rebel Chechen, determined to create havoc and death on Toronto's Go Train system. The Chechen's Revenge is now in print and can be ordered online at https://mkt.com/northof49publishing.
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