Trump’s threats depart Canadian Afghan conflict veterans feeling offended and betrayed

Canadian and American troops fought collectively and bled collectively within the scorched hinterlands of Afghanistan.

And for that motive there’s a palpable sense of dismay — even betrayal — amongst Canadian veterans towards the Trump administration over its threats and remedy of not simply Canada, however different allies corresponding to Ukraine.

A meme circulating on-line — a photograph of troops in entrance of the maple leaf rock monument at Ma’sum Ghar, the Canadian ahead working base in western Kandahar — was just lately captioned: “We went since you had been attacked. We did not ask in your thanks. Neither did 158 of us who died for you.”

The notion that Canadians fought and died in Afghanistan to assist defend the US — due to the terrorist assaults on Sept. 11, 2001 — runs deep amongst Canadian veterans of that conflict and their households.

They’re irked by the threats of President Donald Trump to annex Canada via financial power and the commerce conflict. However it was the bullying of the Ukrainian president within the Oval Workplace and Vice-President JD Vance’s insistence that Volodymyr Zelenskyy present gratitude that set off many veterans.

The anger was maybe felt extra keenly on Wednesday, the eleventh anniversary of Canada’s navy withdrawal from Afghanistan.

“I feel if 9/11 had been to occur once more, I actually do not suppose I might be as keen — or prepared — to assist the Individuals as I did in 2001,” mentioned retired corporal Bruce Moncur, who was gravely wounded when an American floor assault jet by chance strafed Canadian troops at the beginning of the milestone 2006 battle generally known as Operation Medusa.

Down the years Moncur has tried to come back to peace with the horrific pleasant fireplace incident that took the life of 1 Canadian soldier — Trooper Mark Anthony Graham — and wounded 36 others.

However the now outspoken veterans advocate mentioned he can not help however surprise in regards to the nation and the individuals he willingly defended. 

“I simply take into consideration the idiocy of it,” Moncur mentioned about latest occasions.

Within the latter phases of Canada’s conflict in Kandahar, American troops fought and died beneath Canadian command. On the Nationwide Defence Carling campus headquarters, embedded within the memorial to fallen Canadians are plaques honouring U.S. troopers who paid the last word sacrifice.

Retired major-general Denis Thompson had an American battalion beneath his command in 2008. Twelve U.S. troopers had been killed on that rotation.

Thompson mentioned it is necessary for offended Canadian veterans to make the excellence between the present administration in Washington and American troops with whom they shared trenches.  

“I completely perceive that Canadian troopers really feel betrayed, however I also can say that I feel there are related sentiments being expressed throughout the border. As a result of we have at all times been stalwart allies,” mentioned Thompson, who mentioned he nonetheless retains in contact with former American troopers and commanders with whom he served.

“In some circumstances, they’re ashamed. They can not consider what their president is saying, however you recognize, they’re certain by the oath that they took to obey their commander in chief. I might counsel none of them can settle for that Russia is the US’ pal. It simply gobsmacks them that he speaks this manner.”

In all of his conversations since Trump’s return to the White Home in January, Thompson mentioned he by no means as soon as received the sense that U.S. troopers shared the sentiment that Canada ought to develop into the 51st state within the union.

“It isn’t about the US Military or the US Armed Forces. It is in regards to the president of the US,” Thompson mentioned.

Canadian particular forces troops, whom Thompson additionally commanded, had been among the many first on the bottom in Afghanistan in October 2001 together with their U.S. counterparts within the aftermath of the fear assaults on New York and Washington. 

Thompson mentioned the ties between the 2 militaries run so deep {that a} U.S. Navy Seal — Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas Ratzlaff — was awarded in 2010 Canada’s second-highest navy ornament for bravery whereas serving alongside Canadians. 

Over greater than a dozen years in Afghanistan, 158 Canadian troopers had been killed, together with seven civilians. A further 2,000 troops had been wounded.

It is likely one of the causes Trump’s annexation threats are robust for veterans to swallow, though they know a full-blown invasion is unlikely.

“I do not suppose it is a chance, militarily,” mentioned Thompson. “He can actually make an try and tank our financial system. And I am not an economist, however I might counsel that Canadians will take an terrible lot of ache earlier than they acquiesce to his calls for.”

He mentioned he additionally does not consider that Trump has the assist of the American public for his annexation agenda — past speaking heads within the right-wing punditry.

The danger of civil disobedience within the U.S. is growing, mentioned Thompson.

“I feel the US could have inner issues lengthy earlier than they begin turning their consideration, earlier than he can begin to flip his consideration in the direction of truly annexing Canada,” he mentioned.