LETTER

June 6  

I shared June 6 with so many Canadians as we remembered the inestimable sacrifices made by our brothers, fathers, uncles – and sisters! – to bring World War 2 to an end.  Everyone seems in agreement, with stories to tell and tears. We refer to this as “bringing freedom” to Europe (and other parts of the world).  At our most outspoken, we will refer to “German tyranny”, but even that seems a no-no in today’s atmosphere.

Some of our allies – the ones that took infinitely more death and destruction than did we – refer to this as the Great Anti-Fascist War.  That seems much more relevant and honest a name, especially today.

In a recent editorial, the Bulletin mentioned the spread of, essentially, fascist organizations within our own troops – today.  You mentioned the soldiers in Nova Scotia reprimanded for membership in one of several rightwing militia groups that have spread up from the USA, attacking women and minorities, Native people especially.  

In reference to the Normandy invasion, why not honestly refer to it as the war against fascism? In doing that we would make it difficult for our own soldiers to join these groups and encourage the brass to actually do something about them. We would be outing the nasty e-campaigns against immigrants, LGBTQ, First Nations and women in general for what they are: fascism.

How can we honour the hundreds of thousands of Canadian soldiers who died in fighting Nazism while Nazis openly parade in the US and Canada?  That is the effect of our silence.  Do we Canadians feel obligated to be polite even to fascists?  Not on June 6, please!

Andy Black, 

Aylmer Nord