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6 - The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, December 18, 2001 COMMLN We just can't give Up que st to lii the target The Chamnpion 's Christmas Bureau Fund stili needs a big push over the next week if this year's goal is to be reached. To date, $14,145 has been raised for the campaign - which ensures that ail local families have a nice Christmas, complete with dinner and toys for the children. A lot more help is needed, however, if this year's goal of $25,000 is to be reached. Last year, $24,626 was raised.* As reported elsewhere in this newspaper, the Salvation Army is also having trouble collectmng donations in its Christmas kettle campaign. We think that's attributed to the many donations people already made following the September il terrorist attacks coupled with the slow economy. But we can't give up trying to reach our goal Please send donations payable to the Christmas Bureau Eund, Box 248, Milton, Ont., L9T 4N9, or drop them off at our office, 191 Main St. E. Donations of non-perishable food and toys would also be greatly appreciated. HO0 HO Hoé MERRY NON- PENOMINATIONAL ALL'INCLUSIVE FESTIVE OCCASION 0F YOUR LCHIOICEJ /W' O UR READERS WRITE Thorika to a11 who support~ toumemnjt Veteran offers his thoughts on governments DM Auor cS ppecatontoMaorGod ratzplan to add names of soldiers to Peace Tower +THE CkvAI)IAiV CHAMPION Box 248, 191 Main St. E., Milton, Ont. L9T 4N9 (905) 878-2341 Editorial Fax: 905-878-4943 Adversising Fax: 905-876-2364 Classified: 905-875-3300 Circulation: 905-878-5947 Ian OliverPublisher Nel Oliver Wendy McNab Karen Smith Steve Crozier Teri Cama Associate Pub!rsher Advertising Manager Editor Circulat ion Manager Office Manager Thn Coles Production Manager The Canadien Champion. patisited every Taesday and Friday at 191 Main St. t., Milton. Onsf L9T AIN9 (Box 248), is tne of Tht Metritand Frinting, Fablsiting t Sistribtitg Le. trias of sabseitan csmpanies sitict tiacldes: Ajas/iclirins News Advefliser, ititistot Heraid/Csurier, larrie Adace, Barrys Ray This Weelr, Boftes Enterprise, Brampton adian, B-iirington Post, Barliiton Sitopping News, Ciry Fanent, Citp of York Ssardian, Collingwood/Wasaga Consectior, tat York Mires,, tris AdvocateeCoasfsy Rosies, tsictite Suardian. Fiamtoroagh Pot, Forets, Yoang, Georgetown IndependenrjActon Fnee Prets,. Hatsn Business 'imes, Huronia Business Times. Kingston Titis Week, Lindsay This Week, Markitam Economisit &Sas, Midiasd/Fesetasguishene Mirror Milos Shopping News, Mississauga Bsineess limes, Mîssissaaga News. Napasee Gaide, Nassagaweya News, NewsmaeeiAassa Ena-Banner Northamberland Newrs, Nosth York Mîrntr, Saittilie Beaver, Sautille Shopping News, Sidrîmers Hockey News, Orllia Today, Ssitawa/Wilbfyydlarnsgrosiport Ferry This Weeii, Peterborough Titis Weeii, Fîctos Coanty Soide, Richtmond HiliThorshiitaugitas Literai, Scarboroagt Mînror, Stoaiivîille/Sotnidge tdaertisisg os accepted os rte condtition tit, in rte avant of a typo- grapiticai erssr, tit portion oite aîtoertisisg space occapied ty rte enso- seous item, togetiter witit a reasoeabie aiiswarce for signature, wnii ser be citarged ion. bti rte baiance of rte advertisemrent wîii te paid for ai rte appli- catie raie. lThe putiisiter retenues rte nigit f0 categsrize advestîsemees on decise. Tre Min Canadae Chae m e an Reccvabl Fireere Dear Editor: The federai governinent is plan- ning to make roomn in the sacred Books of Remembrance in the Peace Tower in Ottawa for the narnes of 23 First World War sol- diers who were convicted of cow- ardice or desertion. The National Counicil of Vetera Associations bas written to Veterana Affaira Minister Duhamnel objecting to, this inclusion. The impropriesy is baaed on the fact that the Canadian govenunment didn't have the intestinal fortitude to grant pardons as waa done in New Zealand. Mr. Duhamnel bas stated that it's not possible under Canadian law to grant such pardons. On the other hand, the New Zealand governinent several years ago pardoned five New Zealanders who were shot under the very saine authority- the British Anny Act of 1914. The World War 1 Book of Remembrance contains the follow- ing preainble: 'Helere are recorded the naines of teCanadians who, loyal to the Crown and faithful to, the traditions of their fathers, served in the Canadian and other forces of the British Empire, and gave up their lives in the Great War - 1914 to 1918.' Let's examnine the charge againt one member who deserted hia post and cauted the death of tome of bis corirades: Private so and so waa detailed an a lookout. He badl been a trouble- tomne soldier. It waa nighttiine and the Germnan gas attack coininersced just after midnight. His coanrades, who were atsempiting to, gel tome sleep in trenches 25 yards behind the lookous pot, were caught unaware by the gas attack, and laser by a bayones astack by Germant. The action of Private so and so in desertmng bis pot lefI his comrrades without any warning of the devas- Pud by Steve Nease were killed. One han so wonder when a meen- ber of a future generation goes toi look up a naine ini the Books of Remembrance, can hie be sure that he's lnnking as the naine of a war hero, or a man convicted of cow- ardice? When Prime Minister Robert Borden was dedicating the site for the Books of Remensbrance, hie stated Usas Use naines were 'testa- ments to Use valour, sacrifice and unselfishness of Uhse who died.' We tee no objection if, like New Zealand, Use Canadian goveiiens grants a pardon to these soldiers. If, on the other band, the Canadian govemmuens only expresses regret Usas Usey were shos for cowardice and desertion, surely we have a new definition of courage. H Clifford Chaddarton Chairman, National Council of Voeran Asaociations in --@Nomme"