8 - Friday, June 17, 1994 - North Shore News MAILBOX No headgear wanted here Dear Editor: Because the Canadian public gives emendous suppost to the Royal Canadian Legion and its charities, itis onty right hit some aspeets of Gre dispute over the wearing of turbans on legion premises that have net been made public so far should be brought to fight. Exclusion from membership can be based on niany grounds. [am an immigrant from Australia, but te gain membership Thad to prove that} wore the uniform of a Canadian ally in wartinie. Until 1994, legion rules exclud- ed Canadians who served with the U.S. forees in Vietnam, Australian Defence Force members who fought in that war are likewise excluded, An East Indian immigrant who served in the Indo-Chinese war of 1959 would also be barred, The Sikhs who were in Korea in the past-war era might join, as might any serviceman cngaged in United Nations actions in which Canada vas involved. Some Sikhs could be excluded even if they did serve in the Second World War, irrespective of whether they wore turbans. {t is not commonly known for example, that 65,000 Indian troops, mostly Sikhs, surrendered in General Percival's defeated army in Singapore in 1942. Of those, about 25,000 accepted a Japanese appeal to side with Japan in the Tokyo-inspired and organized “Indian National Army.” They were invited to switch sides and help drive out the “British Imperialists.” Though Indian sal- (fh oN 1K, Name Address City. Postal Code Telephone ( A Communi diers had fought en nearly every front, they had really fought more us mercenaries tia Loyalists, The revered Mahatma Gandhi wrote in P0422 "India’s soldiers are nota palional amy. but profession als who wills soon fight ander the Japanese or any other af paid for fighting.” Sikhs who were part of the Japanese force would pot be wel comed us legion members, but those wha served fosyally: in Field Marshal Stin’s magnificent British Ith Burma Army should clearly qualify for membership in their own legion branch, but albeit with out their turban in the West Vancouver Branch 60. as things presently stand. We must remember that the 1986 vole governing headgear in this branch was regirded as a mat- ter of degion and, therefore, Canadian culture. But to me, it is also a matter of the Kirpan, the much vaunted, ceremonial dagger worn by the Sikhs, leis a dagger and a potentially dangerous weapon, and as such should not be welcomed in a licensed establishment. The sebuke administered to the legion’s Dominion Command on the matter of who should decide on local matters, may find many branches of the Royal Canadian Legion re-examining their positions and poticies. Freedom of choice of associa- tion under the badly flawed Charter of Rights is very much a personal matter for individual Canadians which includes legion members. The legion’s stance against the wearing of turbans was hardly as Discover the rhythm of nature : 15 minutes from _ the pulse of the city. drastic as that taken by the lug. cadary Count Dracula, In the Readers Digest book Creat Misteries of the Past, we read haw Moslem cniissanes from the Turkish court cirea 1400 dared to keep thei turbans onan his pres- ence. He hid the tarbans nailed to their skudds! Dracula was obviously having even more trouble with mul: Heull than we are. Russell C. Shelton Royal Australian Air Force Cartoon blasted Dear Editor: This is in response to your editorial cartoon of June 5, por- traying the Royal Canadian Legion in a most derogatory manner. Firstly, for the record there wre no signs inside or cutside the legion as depicted in your cartoon, The truth of the matter is that headgear is not permitted in the legion as a matter of respeet to all comrades who gave up their lives to preserve our country’s freedom, includ- ing freedom of the press. lt is ironic now that your newspaper should indirectly defame the very group thal mide a free press possible. | find this type of irresponsi- ble journalism to be reprebensi- ble especially on the eve of the 50th anniversary of D-Day. Art Foltz North Vancouver ituated in a park-like setting in the heart of Nori: Vancouver, our apartment ww community is in concert with the desires of active seniors. While our setting is private and serene, we're only minutes away from the city. Location is just one of the amenities ycu'll enjoy. A lovely suite, meticulous landscaping and maintenance-free living will be yours, too, at Ridge Park Gardens. Neighbours will quickly become friends as you share a glass of wine in the fireside lounge, or a game of pool in the games room. Swim laps in the pool at the neighbourhood Recreation Centre. Enjoy a stroll past the park and the gardens. Or spend afternoons shopping along Lonsdale Avenue. Add Buron’s exceptional reputation and more than ten years of experience in developing quality communities, and your decision to live here can be made in a heartbeat. Mail the coupon below or call Pamela Aebi at 986-0395. a enscryag ty For Active Seniors. 2059 Cursrerrietp Avenué « Nor'tu Vancouver, B.C. V6H 3V9 Sales office open 12-5 pm (except Fridays) or by appointment. Full co-operation with realtors. Seheduled for completion in February 1995. Pre-construction prices starting at $172,000, EA NNYS FABRICS Manager’s Sale 1994 i THINK OF THAT? Come see our new twists on old ideas REMEMBER: Fabric is nothin until it is something ei. BRICS ~980-0554~ Sa" Siz0-s0 710 W, 14th st, Way, SU 12:00-5:00