Neighbors

In the past week two Canadian soldiers have been murdered, not while serving overseas, but in Canada. One after being run down in a parking lot in Quebec and the other shot down while guarding the War Memorial in Ottawa yesterday (then the suspect continued into Parliament where he was taken down). I suspect the individual identities of these soldiers were irrelevant to the respective killers, but they were individuals who made a calculated career choice: to voluntarily protect the country and way of life they love. This same decision and these same sentiments are echoed every day by thousands of other soldiers in Canada. This is a noble vocation.

As a Canadian, but also a US permanent resident who currently primarily lives in the United States, I have substantial ties in both countries and when such tragedies take place on either side of the border, it is upsetting.

But my heart has been warmed by the concern and outpouring of support by our American cousins. One of the MPs from the NDP explained it very well on TV last night. Sometimes our American neighbors are a little rowdy and exciting to live next to, but we wouldn’t care to share a border with anyone else. And some pessimists may go straight to thinking it is strictly for defense reasons but, seriously, it isn’t.

When I saw friends on Facebook posting messages of concern and support for those in Ottawa it warmed my heart.

Likewise, it made me feel at home when I saw my American friends very sincerely hoping those guilty for executing such terrible crimes are brought to justice swiftly and severely.

When I learned of grander and more public events of support, such as the singing of O Canada at the Penguins game last night, it really did it for me.

Americans really do make the best neighbors.