Canada in Vietnam

I have been aware of Canada's contribution to the war in Vietnam for a very long time. However, while researching a novel, I discovered some hard core facts about it. As many as 40,000 Canadians fought in Vietnam. 113 are listed as KIA/MIA. Seven are still over there. The plain truth is, more Canadians died PER CAPITA than did Americans.Canadians as a nation do not like to fight, but we are very good at it.When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Canada declared war on Japan even before the US did.When the Iranians took 53 American hostages, Canada closed down its Iranian embassy and spirited 6 Americans out of Iran.When President Bush called for help in defeating Iraq, Canada was the first country to join the coalition. Its a shame our own countrymen don't realize what our fighting men men have done. Robert K. Brown, the editor of Soldier of Fortune magazine once said: "We sent Canada our garbage, and they sent us their best." There were some units in Vietnam that contained more Canadians than Americans and some units were made up entirely of Canadians and lead by American officers. Why did 40,000 Canadians go to Vietnam when Americans were flocking to Canada by the thousands to avoid it?A sense of adventure? Excitement?No. Best our best friend was in a fight and we just wanted to show em whose side we're on.Same as always.

In the end, this note is for one purpose.To say thank you. Was Vietnam wrong? Who knows? One thing is for certain: Saigon was considered a friend of the United States.Canada went to Vietnam for the same reason America went:If you don't help your friends when they need it, whose going to help you when your time comes?

Vietnam Veterans:

THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH.