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Well done Mr and Mrs Jim Seggie
Today's National Post: http://digital.nationalpost.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
The mothers of two Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan are leading a growing chorus of voices decrying the Manitoba government’s decision to expedite the naming of a lake after 22-year-old hockey star Jonathan Toews, an honour commonly bestowed upon casualties of war.
Shirley Seggie and Wanda Watkins say they do not understand why Premier Greg Selinger rushed to have a lake named for Winnipeg-native Mr. Toews just a month after the millionaire superstar led the Chicago Blackhawks to Stanley Cup glory, while their two sons — who died more than two years ago — have yet to be recognized with such an honour.
“We shouldn’t have to wait three years to have a lake named after our sons when Jonathan can get it in a month and he is a superstar, not a hero,” said Ms. Seggie from her home in Winnipeg.
Her son, 21-year-old Corporal Michael Seggie, was killed on Sept. 3, 2008, along with two others when their armoured vehicle was attacked by insurgents.
“To me, it’s like we’re not important, like our kids did nothing.”
Ms. Watkins, whose 20year-old son Private Lane Watkins was killed on July 4, 2007 when his armoured vehicle stuck an IED, says Mr. Selinger should have given more thought to the optics of pursuing the naming of a lake for a hockey player instead of first working on the same honour for soldiers who died for their country.
“This announcement came right at the time of the anniversary of Lane’s death. It is a difficult time of year for us and this definitely caused a lot of unnecessary pain for our family,” said Ms. Watkins, on the phone from her home in Clearwater, Man.
“I feel badly for the Toews family to be dragged into the controversy because of the opportunity for publicity and a photo-op for the Premier on the coattails of Mr. Toews’ success.”
Toews Lake, as it is known, is situated 95 kilometres north of Flin Flon, and is about 2.4-kilometres long and 1.6-kilometres wide. It was named in Mr. Toews’ honour just a month after he won a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks, and earned the Conn Smythe Trophy for most valuable player during the playoffs.
Mr. Selinger is away on vacation, but government spokesman Dwight MacAuley said a “national guideline” dictates that geographical features are not usually named for war casualties until three years after death.
However, he said the province is going ahead with plans in November to name geographical features after five Manitoba soldiers killed in Afghanistan within the past three years, including Cpl. Seggie and Pte. Watkins. The other servicemen to be honoured are Trooper Cory Hayes, Sapper Sean Greenfield and Cpl. James Arnal.
When asked if the Premier’s decision appeared controversial, Mr. MacAuley replied: “I don’t agree with that. You have two very different sets of emotions here. In one, you have tragedy and grief that is really indescribable. In the other, you have this elation of a hero’s celebration.”
The last time any Manitoba lakes were named for non-war casualties was in 2002, when the province named lakes for Queen Elizabeth’s then six grandchildren, Mr. MacAuley said.
About 4,200 of Manitoba’s tens of thousands of lakes honour Canada’s war dead. Others are named for Manitobans with a diverse range of contributions to the province, including conservation officers, engineers, university professors and athletes.
Still, that’s little consolation for Ms. Seggie and Ms. Watkins, who say they have yet to receive an explanation from the government.
“To have a lake named after you in a month, you’ve got to win a Stanley Cup, you’ve got to be a superstar,” Ms. Seggie said.
“It seems like our kids have been forgotten.”
Printed and distributed by NewpaperDirect | www.newspaperdirect.com, US/Can: 1.877.980.4040, Intern: 800.6364.6364 | Copyright and protected by applicable law.
Absolutely that it can be done in 48 hours or less, and the certificate printed up by the Manitoba government. I can only say in defence (me for the NDP!!) that probably a decision was made to make announcements during Remembrance Week.
Posted previously by Rifleman62 (Nov 07):
The Manitoba government granted Freedom of the Province of Manitoba to all Veterans on the 60 th Annivery of V-E Day. They went for the idea right away, and Premier Doer presented the proclamation at a parade at the Legislature.
Today's National Post: http://digital.nationalpost.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
The mothers of two Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan are leading a growing chorus of voices decrying the Manitoba government’s decision to expedite the naming of a lake after 22-year-old hockey star Jonathan Toews, an honour commonly bestowed upon casualties of war.
Shirley Seggie and Wanda Watkins say they do not understand why Premier Greg Selinger rushed to have a lake named for Winnipeg-native Mr. Toews just a month after the millionaire superstar led the Chicago Blackhawks to Stanley Cup glory, while their two sons — who died more than two years ago — have yet to be recognized with such an honour.
“We shouldn’t have to wait three years to have a lake named after our sons when Jonathan can get it in a month and he is a superstar, not a hero,” said Ms. Seggie from her home in Winnipeg.
Her son, 21-year-old Corporal Michael Seggie, was killed on Sept. 3, 2008, along with two others when their armoured vehicle was attacked by insurgents.
“To me, it’s like we’re not important, like our kids did nothing.”
Ms. Watkins, whose 20year-old son Private Lane Watkins was killed on July 4, 2007 when his armoured vehicle stuck an IED, says Mr. Selinger should have given more thought to the optics of pursuing the naming of a lake for a hockey player instead of first working on the same honour for soldiers who died for their country.
“This announcement came right at the time of the anniversary of Lane’s death. It is a difficult time of year for us and this definitely caused a lot of unnecessary pain for our family,” said Ms. Watkins, on the phone from her home in Clearwater, Man.
“I feel badly for the Toews family to be dragged into the controversy because of the opportunity for publicity and a photo-op for the Premier on the coattails of Mr. Toews’ success.”
Toews Lake, as it is known, is situated 95 kilometres north of Flin Flon, and is about 2.4-kilometres long and 1.6-kilometres wide. It was named in Mr. Toews’ honour just a month after he won a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks, and earned the Conn Smythe Trophy for most valuable player during the playoffs.
Mr. Selinger is away on vacation, but government spokesman Dwight MacAuley said a “national guideline” dictates that geographical features are not usually named for war casualties until three years after death.
However, he said the province is going ahead with plans in November to name geographical features after five Manitoba soldiers killed in Afghanistan within the past three years, including Cpl. Seggie and Pte. Watkins. The other servicemen to be honoured are Trooper Cory Hayes, Sapper Sean Greenfield and Cpl. James Arnal.
When asked if the Premier’s decision appeared controversial, Mr. MacAuley replied: “I don’t agree with that. You have two very different sets of emotions here. In one, you have tragedy and grief that is really indescribable. In the other, you have this elation of a hero’s celebration.”
The last time any Manitoba lakes were named for non-war casualties was in 2002, when the province named lakes for Queen Elizabeth’s then six grandchildren, Mr. MacAuley said.
About 4,200 of Manitoba’s tens of thousands of lakes honour Canada’s war dead. Others are named for Manitobans with a diverse range of contributions to the province, including conservation officers, engineers, university professors and athletes.
Still, that’s little consolation for Ms. Seggie and Ms. Watkins, who say they have yet to receive an explanation from the government.
“To have a lake named after you in a month, you’ve got to win a Stanley Cup, you’ve got to be a superstar,” Ms. Seggie said.
“It seems like our kids have been forgotten.”
Printed and distributed by NewpaperDirect | www.newspaperdirect.com, US/Can: 1.877.980.4040, Intern: 800.6364.6364 | Copyright and protected by applicable law.
Absolutely that it can be done in 48 hours or less, and the certificate printed up by the Manitoba government. I can only say in defence (me for the NDP!!) that probably a decision was made to make announcements during Remembrance Week.
Posted previously by Rifleman62 (Nov 07):
The Manitoba government granted Freedom of the Province of Manitoba to all Veterans on the 60 th Annivery of V-E Day. They went for the idea right away, and Premier Doer presented the proclamation at a parade at the Legislature.
