DEAR INTERNET USER,
I would like to welcome you on our newly conceived internet website of the Canadian Vietnam Veterans Quebec. As you browse through, you will find a good insight of why our Association was created, its Mission and you will also get to know the amazing people who keep the Canadian Vietnam Veterans Quebec association on track.
Many events have marked the 1960’s like the conquest of the space, the first steps on the moon, clashes between U.S. and Cuba, soviet missiles, the assassinations of President Kennedy and his brother, the craze for Martin Luther King, the Beatle mania and, there was the Vietnam war lead by the United States of America. This non-declared long war had been the focus of the media’s attention and also highly contested throughout the world. Supported by Australia, South Korea and the Philippines, the U.S. has deployed 2,7 million soldiers in Vietnam during that conflict which lasted between 1964 and 1975 and, of those, 58 148 have died in action during that conflict.
In spite of Canada’s opposition to the U.S.A. involvement in Vietnam, many Canadians crossed the border to volunteer in the American Forces. We estimate between 35 000 and 40 000 Canadians who joined the U.S. Armed Forces but unsure of how many were deployed to Vietnam. What we know, is that sadly, 125 Canadians serving under the American flag died in Vietnam during that war.
Those Canadians who did come back from their service in Vietnam, had to deal with either physical and/or psychological wounds resulting from their Vietnam experiences. In those days, a war returnee did not get the welcome home atmosphere as done today. He soon discovered he had to deal with an anti-war society, risking humiliation from protesters, medias and even family and friends. Without availability of professional help, the returnee’s instinct of survival prompted him to hide or try to forget the past and fight his inner war alone and in silence. Some withdrew in isolation and for others, suicide was even an option; that’s one of the main reason why our Association was formed.
In 1989, our Association was founded by two Quebecers, Gilles Sauvé, our current Vice-President along with Jacques Gendron, Vietnam Veteran and former President. Our Association focuses on regrouping and helping Canadians who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the conflict in Vietnam between 1963 and 1974. A monument has been erected in their honour in Melocheville Quebec, where an annual commemorative Vigil takes place; you can find more information about it on our website under “Our Monument” http://www.cvvq-aqvv.com/. Next time you are in the Montreal region, we invite you to visit our Monument site which we are very proud of.
Within the Association of Vietnam Veterans Quebec, we have U.S. Vietnam Veterans who served in Vietnam, also Vietnam Era Veterans, Foreign Country Veterans and finally our faithful supporters of which many are ex-military from the Canadian Forces and other country Veterans. For the record, we are not a motorcycle club but, so far, those people have been faithful to our Veterans and truly support our Association year after year.
Our Association greatly supports POW-MIA, acronym for « Prisoners of war – Missing in action”. We believe, like many American groups, that there are still Americans in captivity in Vietnam since the fall of Saigon, former capital of South Vietnam. Unfortunately, 58 148 Americans lost their lives in Vietnam during this conflict, whose names are carved on the ‘’Wall’’ in Washington D.C.
During the conflict in Vietnam, the U.S. counted on allied countries like Australia, South Korea and Philippines sending combat units in Vietnam, they were excellent soldiers. Canada was not an ally and frequently and openly criticized the U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Paradoxically, Canada supported this conflict by supplying the American government with war equipment such as, napalm bombs, small arms ammunitions, canon shells, military clothing, defoliants such as the infamous agent orange, helicopter engines and aircraft parts.
Lastly our Association supports troops throughout the world. We believe in “Liberty” for every human being and we also believe that “Peace has a price”. Names of those who paid the ultimate price are forever carved on gravestones in military cemeteries all over the world and those brave Heroes deserve our highest respect.
Here are a few interesting facts that are unknown to many people.
Did you know that :
- During the conflict in Vietnam, Canada became a sanctuary for draft dodgers. Over 35 000 deserters and draft dodgers crossed North of the border to hide while about the same number of Canadians crossed South of the border to join the American Forces. There were also Americans who declared themselves conscientious objectors and therefore could avoid the draft by accepting a 2 year sentence in prison.
- For the record, American military never lost a battle in Vietnam. The Treaty of Paris was signed on January 27th 1973 by both sides, putting an end to that war. terms were the complete withdrawal of American troops and North Vietnamese Army from South Vietnam and liberation of the prisoners of war. After the last U.S. soldier departed, North Vietnam violated the Treaty by savagely invading South Vietnam.
- The service duration for a soldier in Vietnam was 12 months and it was called a tour of duty. After six months, the soldier could take an R&R or rest and recreation. He could go to Hawaii, Bangkok & Taipei Thaïland, Hong Kong and Sidney Australia. Many made several tours in Vietnam where the term ‘’Re Up’’was used.
- G.I. is the abbreviation for Government Issue, a civilian once in the military became government property; the term G.I. originated during WW2.
- The draft term was two years, a volunteer term was three years.
Richard Legault
President
In-Country Vietnam Veteran - U.S. Army 1970-71
Canadian Vietnam Veterans Quebec
