The Ceremonial Guard for Canada’s War Memorial here in Ottawa kicked off its season today.
As per last year, there will be two Ceremonial Guards posted at the Memorial and at its Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from 9 am to 5 pm – seven days a week until Remembrance Day, November 11th, 2015.
But this year the set-up is different, the two ceremonial guards themselves will be guarded by two of Ottawa’s finest police at a cost to the taxpayer of nearly half a million dollars for this part year assignment. It does include a cruiser.
The extra security is due to the tragic shooting death of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo on Wednesday October 22nd. 2014 @ 9:30 am.
Cpl. Cirillo was cowardly gunned down by a lone Islamic Terrorist aficionado.
The guard was initially posted because some male had urinated on the War Memorial in late hours of Canada Day – July 1st 2006.
Do you see something amiss here?
A Guard was posted during the day light hours to protect the War Memorial from a vandalism that took place late at night at a time when most vandalism is apt to occur.
Typical Government.
This stupidity then directly was a factor in Cpl Cirillo’s death since most certainly had he not be on duty that day, protecting the nation’s main monument from unlikely acts of daylight vandalism, he would not be killed.
I am not for a minute suggesting that his special duty caused his death – it did not – the terroist did that all by himself.
Indeed even without the urination incident, I believe the War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier should be guarded during the spring, summer and fall and I would extend the Guard 7 days a week – 24 hours per day.
What I am pointing out is how inept Government’s can be when they set out to solve a problem.
But now the Guards too are guarded by the Ottawa Police.
Why not really get into it.
Many believe the RCMP is the proper police force responsible for the War Memorial – so let’s add a couple of RCMP constables as well. Just think what a draw they would be in their Red Serge.
And don’t forget to give them a cruiser too.
And while we are at it – let’s add the Ontario Provincial Police since if the City Cops are there and now the RCMP – should not the OPP be represented too?
And of course their car.
And you can’t leave Guards guarding Guards there on their own – replacement Guards will need to flow through to cover coffee breaks and lunches.
The Minister Responsible for Ottawa – Pierre Poilievre is quoted as saying they have adopted this new system of guarding the guards to send terrorists a message that we in Canada cannot be intimidated.
I find it quite the opposite – guarding the guards sends a message loud and clear that we are indeed intimidated.
So here is what I would do.
I would keep but the two ceremonial guards – one to guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the other armed to guard the perimeter of the War Memorial.
Extra cost – none.
Change in the former guard arrangements – none save for the fact that both guards will now be issued real bullets to protect themselves.
They are part of Canada’s distinguished army and are well equipped at protecting themselves.
As I see it…
‘K.D. Galagher’
