June 1989 - Volume 1 No.2

Peacetime Soldiers

Capt. Vern Ruttan U.S.M.C. (ret'd)
Peacetime Soldier UN Cyprus

When I chaired the founding meeting of the Native Veterans of Northwestern Ontario last November 1988, I was privileged to meet Native Veterans from World War II. These were men that I greatly admired as I read about their deeds of courage and bravery.

In my own family, the military involvement included my uncle and my father who fought in the Second World War and an older brother that severed in the Korean Conflict, or rightly called, "Police Action".

It was while these Native Veterans were introducing themselves and their service, (e.g. Pte. Joe Smith; Army WWII Korea, Middle East, Cyprus, etc.) that a young fellow stood up and gave his name and service and then said "I only served in Peacetime." he sounded like he was apologizing for being in the company of these men wit the medals. After I got over my initial shock, I realized this may have been unknowingly brought on by an attitude of the Veterans themselves. I certainly "strut" on November11th and probably act more overbearing than most. However, history has proven again and again that the best defense against attack is a good standing army and a reserve army.

These peacetime soldiers have every right to be proud of their service. By serving in peacetime, they carried on the traditions of the Regiments and Units so that all countries knew that if called upon, these soldiers would serve anytime, anywhere their Government (that they now can vote for) asks them to.

Sure, I still strut and I certainly apologize to my fellow Comrades if I'm overbearing. I know a lot of peacetime soldiers, Native and others and I am proud to know them.

Canadians everywhere owe you a debt of gratitude and most of us forget easily. You've kept the peace and guarded our freedoms that give us the right to strut, to forget and to send our children to the schools of our own choice.

Yes, you Veterans of peacetime service owe explanations to no man. My father tells me that the Sergeant that trained his unit to fight in one of the most desperate struggles of mankind to date (WWII) didn't have any medals either and we won that one.