Editorial expressed what many were feeling

Editor:

Thank you for your editorial outlining the very negative and disparaging comments made by the speaker at the service held at the Legion on Nov. 11.

If I had not been singing in the choir that day, I would have left during the offensive remarks which go against all my beliefs.

During the lunch after the service many people expressed outrage and yet, as you explained, it was difficult to know how to do anything while he was speaking.

As members of the community, many of us have supported an initiative to bring refugees to Canada and to help them settle here.

My own parents were immigrants from England in the 1950s. Our family benefited from the openness and hospitality of the many communities we called home during my father’s long career as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Most upsetting to me was the effect Jonescu’s comments might have on impressionable young minds.

Members of our military may very well be involved in the resettlement of refugees in the coming months and we would want them to represent Canada in all the most positive ways.

Bravo for your courage in writing this editorial and for expressing what many people were feeling.

Gillian Stoker-Lavelle,

Mulmur.