Three cheers for us...

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Nice letter from our Vermont neighbour..

Open letter addressed to the Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin and Canadian Ambassador to the U.S., Frank McKenna
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PLEASE NOTE THAT DISTRIBUTION OF THIS CORRESPONDENCE WAS REQUESTED BY
BRIAN DUBIE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FOR THE STATE OF VERMONT
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OTTAWA, Oct. 21 /CNW Telbec/ -

Gentlemen,

I recently returned to my home in the State of Vermont, after being
deployed as a US Air Force Reservist to join in the response to Hurricane
Katrina. In the days following the hurricane, I was stationed in the Gulf
Coast disaster area, providing airlifts for people and cargo, and meeting
with state and local officials in Mississippi and Louisiana to assess
needs and deliver US Air Force resources to help people in need.

At home, my other job is serving as Lieutenant Governor for the State of
Vermont.

On behalf of my state, my nation, and the US military, I wish to extend
heartfelt thanks to the nation of Canada for the support you have
provided to the people of the Gulf Coast in response to Hurricane
Katrina.

Since the early days of the disaster, Canadians have come forward to
help, not only through word, but also in deed. As Prime Minister Martin
expressed it to President Bush, "at any time, in any way".

Your provincial and federal governments responded to the devastation
immediately with emergency response personnel, supplies, and donations.
You offered your assistance as first responders - The Vancouver Search
and Rescue Team was the first Canadian-based team to reach the affected
areas in Louisiana on August 31st. You have responded to our call for
logistical assistance with navy divers from Halifax and British Columbia.
They have been vital in helping us clear navigational hazards. Your
federal government launched Operation UNISON to support relief efforts,
and deployed two Griffon helicopters to assist our Coast Guard in its
Search and Rescue mission over Labor Day weekend.

I can't tell you how grateful those of us working in the region were to
see those helicopters enter our airspace.

We are grateful for your contribution of a thousand Canadian personnel,
clean water, tents, cots, boats, lumber and pollution cleanup equipment,
which you sent promptly aboard your three military ships.

Your corporations have responded by offering their help. We are deeply
appreciative of Air Canada's continuous operation of shuttle flights, in
cooperation with member airlines of the Air Transport Association, to
help evacuate 25,000 residents of New Orleans, who were stranded in the
wake of Katrina. ZENON Environmental has collaborated with Maytag to
donate water filtration systems that will help make New Orleans a safe
city to live in.

In this time of need, you have also shown compassion for your neighbors
by contributing in a personal way. Albertans have donated five million
dollars to humanitarian assistance through the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund.
Nova Scotians have pledged $100,000, while Canadian Red Cross members
have been working alongside its U.S. counterparts from the outset. Even
your universities have reached out to American students affected by
Hurricane Katrina. More than thirty-five Canadian colleges and
universities, including the University of Toronto, Mount Allison, Queens
and McGill, have offered spaces for displaced students.

Most heartening of all, however, has been the outpouring of support from
everyday Canadians from across the country. If there was ever a doubt as
to who would be by our side in a time of need, this demonstration of
sympathy and support laid that to rest.

In Vermont, our ties with Canada and Quebec form a sturdy and richly
colored fabric, woven with the threads of personal relationship, common
heritage, shared interest and mutual respect.

On behalf of the State of Vermont and a grateful nation, thank you,
Canada.

Very respectfully yours,


Brian Dubie
Lieutenant Governor, State of Vermont