Without attempting to be political, I wanted to bring to everyone's attention the efforts of Mr. Rick Casson who is the MP for the Alberta riding around Lethbridge.

Until Dec 17, Mr. Casson is collecting $5 Tim Horton's gift cards which he will in turn distribute to Canadian troops in Afghanistan shortly after Christmas. So far Mr. Casson has collected 1000 cards for the 2900 troops we have posted over in Camp Kandahar.

I've purchased some Timmie's gift cards and will be sending them on to Mr. Casson's office tomorrow. In the best spirit of Candy For The Crew, I would encourage FT'er here on the AC forum to support our troops with a cup of coffee at Tim Horton's.

Cheers!

http://www.rickcasson.com/media/press.php?view=303

Are there Timmies in Afghanistan.. I've heard of stories where they are shipping Timmie's products down to Afghanistan.. Will the troops have to wait and get back to Canada to use them?

There's a Timmie's on camp Kandahar.

There is a Tim Hortons in Kandahar, located on the main boardwalk.

Have had more than a few coffee's during my 17 months posted there.

Was also a recepient of some of those gift cards in April of 2009. They were very much appreciated. Will purchase some online this morning and send them back to Alberta!!!

Thanks for the info.

Are soldiers not paid? Are they poor? Starving?

I don�t know how much they are paid, or whether they are poor or starving. I do know however know that they are giving up their lives every day.

Our soldiers, men and women, walked into a recruiting center of their own free will, without being conscripted, and selflessly layed down their lives for all in their country..........even for those that would scoff at buying them a cup of coffee and a donut.

I have a great deal of sympathy <for the cause>, and a feel a great deal of warmth for Mr. Casson for honoring our troops.

If those individuals wished to "lay down their lives..." they could have chosen any number of vocations and professions that would directly better the lives of Canadians in need.

That they chose to join the DND is the pity, while I choose to live mine and help those that I can, directly.


ps. I was the Juno Beach Centre on November 11th, remembering those who fell.

I'm born and raised in Vancouver.

In the Spring of 1983 I was 16 years old and in Grade 10 and I went on an exchange trip to a small town in Newfoundland, back when the feds helped pay for such things under Trudeau's "Open House Canada" program.

It completely opened my eyes to what some of the 'rest of Canada' means. For the boys in the small town, their career options were moving to Alberta at 17, fishing (now no longer an option), the army, or (hopefully) getting a job in the RCMP or the Newfoundland constabulary. School ended with Grade 11.

(For the girls, their hope was to be married by 18).

My point? It's all fine and dandy to talk about a "choice of vocations" but in many parts of Canada (and the USA for that matter) the army is the only choice. Growing up in Vancouver the world was (and is) my oyster. In Newfoundland? Not so much.

Thanks for the info RCyyc. I was just able to arrange from my home in Mexico to have some gift cards delivered to Mr. Casson�s office in Lethbridge. Again it is a wonderful gesture to those who risk their lives for their country. The efforts of our troops, which unfortunately sometimes includes the loss of their lives, maintains the freedom for people.

I know that our country's role in this country is a sensitive issue.

I have my own personal opinions on the issue. If you wish to share yours, please do so without breaking the FlyerTalk Rules & Guidelines.

This well intentioned thread has been cleaned up and re-opened. Please take any political discussions to the OMNI forum. A Zero Tolerance position will be taken to personal attacks.

Personally, I question the need to buy fully employed workers coffee. But, it's your hard earned money. However, I don't question the desire to support our soldiers.

A hot issue. But please remember to keep the discussion cool.


.
.

Don't think its about the money per say. If it was the money, it wouldn't be a meager $5.00 gift card.

Its a token of appreciation for what they are doing.

Now as a Canadian living abroad, one of the few things I really miss about home is Tim Horton's.