Relatives of soldiers killed in Afghanistan are reacting with dismay to changes by the new Conservative government in the way Canada’s war dead are commemorated — changes made without the input of military families.
Families, military officials, opposition parties and even some Tory MPs criticized a decision to ban journalists from covering a repatriation ceremony for fallen soldiers returning to Canadian soil.
Many are also unhappy that flags on Parliament Hill will no longer be lowered to half-mast when a soldier is killed in the line of duty.
Tina Beerenfenger, whose husband Cpl. Robbie Beerenfenger was killed near Kabul in 2003, said she was shocked by the flag decision.
“I feel that these soldiers deserve recognition that the flag should be at half-mast for each and every one of them.
“I know it’s not a tradition, but since then they’ve lowered it and I feel that Canadians all over should know when one of our soldiers fall, and remember them on that day and again on Remembrance Day.” (source)
