Monday, April 24, 2006
Symbolic Inflation
Whereas:
The lowering of the national flag to half mast is the symbolic gesture of national mourning.
The symbolic meaning of November 11 recognizes the sacrifice of all soldiers who have died on the battlefield.
The significance of lowering the nation's flag will be lost over time if it is lowered at moments of individual loss, such as parachute accidents, plane crashes and submarine fires.
The Department of National Defence already has a protocol for lowering NDHQ, base and unit CF ensigns to half-mast upon the death of CF members.
If we had the policy of lowering the flag at every CF member's death in service during WWII, the flag would never have flown at full mast.
Be it resolved:
That the Government of Canada return to a consistent, and non-inflationary, practice of lowering the Canadian flag to half-mast at moments of national mourning following historical protocol.
The lowering of the national flag to half mast is the symbolic gesture of national mourning.
The symbolic meaning of November 11 recognizes the sacrifice of all soldiers who have died on the battlefield.
The significance of lowering the nation's flag will be lost over time if it is lowered at moments of individual loss, such as parachute accidents, plane crashes and submarine fires.
The Department of National Defence already has a protocol for lowering NDHQ, base and unit CF ensigns to half-mast upon the death of CF members.
If we had the policy of lowering the flag at every CF member's death in service during WWII, the flag would never have flown at full mast.
Be it resolved:
That the Government of Canada return to a consistent, and non-inflationary, practice of lowering the Canadian flag to half-mast at moments of national mourning following historical protocol.
Comments:
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I was torn too, until I read up on how the veterans' groups felt on this one (and read Lt. Smash's post). This is an issue of military protocol, and it's shameful to see it batted around as fodder for partisan politics. Every time an MP got up in QP yesterday to scold the government on this issue, I just wanted to shout "Don't you have researchers on staff?!!"
The CBC has a pretty good article on this issue too: http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/realitycheck/20060406sheppard.html
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The CBC has a pretty good article on this issue too: http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/realitycheck/20060406sheppard.html
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