Canada is a lucky nation to have men like this

I sometimes get e-mails from Canadian Forces troops in Afghanistan, who are always thoughtful about the larger purpose of their mission. It's clear to me that they think and talk a lot about the moral importance of their mission. I believe they are true idealists. Of course they are: in a time of war, with a near-certainty of deployment to the front lines, it takes a very special and selfless person to volunteer to join the army.

If my correspondents are any indication, our troops truly believe in spreading our Canadian ideals of liberty, rule of law, democracy and peace. I don't think the media tells us about that heartening phenomenon enough, other than a few exceptional reporters like Christie Blatchford. (Here is one of her all-time best from Afghanistan.)

I received an e-mail yesterday from a soldier in Afghanistan. After I wrote back to thank him, he wrote to me again encouraging me to post it on my blog.

How does one repay such generosity? I'm not just talking about his financial generosity -- I'm talking about his generosity of spirit, his deeply-held belief in freedom and the personal sacrifices needed to sustain it.

He is far too kind to suggest that what I'm doing, from the warmth and safety of Canada, is in any way comparable to what he's doing, in real danger and discomfort, daily. I was stunned when I received his note. Here it is. Good God we're a lucky nation to have men and women like this. I don't deserve such praise. I hope as a nation we can live up to his standards.

----- Original Message -----
From: [deleted]
To: <mailto:ezra@ezralevant.com> ezra@ezralevant.com 
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 1:12 AM
Subject: Best of luck Ezra... Though you shouldn't need it.

Dear Mr. Levant;

I am a Canadian soldier currently deployed in Afghanistan.  Yet even here, I keep abreast of events back in Canada.  Upon learning of the possible upcoming lawsuit you may face for your stance against censorship and soft tyranny, I felt I had to somehow help out.

Therefore, today I have donated one thousand dollars to your defence fund.  As you may know, our Risk and Hardship allowance (and a portion of our pay) is non-taxable, so don't worry; even though I'm pretty much a middle-class Joe at the rank of Sergeant, that sum isn't going to cripple me financially.

The reason I decided to give you some of my Risk and Hardship allowance is because you too are faced with hardship and risk.  My brothers in arms and I are not the only ones trying to defend our freedoms and improve the lives of others.  I see these qualities in yourself as well. 

So, I've decided that some of the money that the federal government is paying me to defend people's freedom should be spread a little more evenly around to someone who's doing a job that is ultimately just as important as mine.

The Taliban want to take over Afghanistan not only because they seek power; for them, the control of the country is only a means to an end.  What they truly want is to control how Afghans think, act and speak.  Well, they're not the only ones.  It irks me that some of the same traits of our enemies are so common and banal back in Canada. 

So Ezra, thanks for being a sentinel on our home front.  We'll fight the bastards over here, you fight their ideological brethren back in Canada.  Also, best of luck in your defence; not that you'll need it, you seem to have a pretty solid case and the necessary skill to fend off your assailants.

If the plaintiffs see the writing on the wall, decide to withdraw their lawsuit and it turns out that you don't need the money, I ask that you give it to a registered charity of your choice.  If you prefer, it's also fine if you make a donation to a federal politician who's willing to stand up and defend our freedom of speech.

Sincerely,
 
[name deleted]
Sergeant
Joint Task Force Afghanistan