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April 10, 2015 Ms. Jodie Baker Superintendent of Education Avon Maitland District School Board 62 Chalk Street North Seaforth, ON N0K 1W0 Dear Ms. Baker, Thank you very much for returning my call yesterday and now as I have had a chance to reflect on our conversation, I would beseech a bit more of your generosity as I respond further. Since we spoke, I have also had a chance to speak with Mr Rick Boon to review, from his point of view, some of the history and particulars of this current request. He, nor his father have at any time asked me to intervene and it is important to know I have taken this initiative up myself. This matter was in fact brought to my attention by more than a few people now who are aware of the situation. I deeply respect the privacy which must be central to every individual’s work circumstances and as a result of that, understand why you are unable to share with me any more of the background of Mr. Rick Boon’s request to accompany his father to the Netherlands next month. Naturally, as a result of that, it is difficult to have a deeper appreciation for the reasons the Avon Maitland School Board may have for denying this request. At the same time, as a citizen of Canada and now as the Honorary Colonel of the Royal Canadian Air Force, it is important for me to ascertain that every effort and consideration has been made in a special request such as this. As we know, Mr. Art Boon is 90 years old and has, through a gesture of significant gratitude, been formally invited by the Government of the Netherlands to share in the 70th Anniversary celebrations surrounding the liberation of the Netherlands in WW2. This commemoration is to be held in less than a month’s time, between May 3 and 9. The Dutch people are aware that this year is likely to be the very last time they will be able to hold such an event to honour and thank those men and women who played such a central role in their country’s history. In other words, this is no incidental invitation, and, due to the advanced age of the veterans still living, it is highly unlikely there will be another event of this nature again. For those of us who never fought in a war and endured all that came with such an experience, it is hard for us to imagine the significance of these commemorations. The camaraderie which is shared at these events simply cannot be shared in the same way with people who did not go through the same experience. For many veterans, they will often state that their wartime involvement was one of the most, if not the most defining moment of their lives. This experience was a gift to those of us who are able to enjoy the legacy of their contribution and sacrifice, and this includes the sacrifices made by their families, who also endured a great deal on our behalf. This is a simple truth of all who have served and are serving still. In this particular case, I am referring to Mr. Rick Boon, his siblings, as well as his mother. In my view, it is not sufficient to say that someone else should accompany them. It is important for us to recognise that Mr. Art Boon’s family will also have lived that war with him, even long after it was fought, and this too is a personal cost of which most citizens are seldom aware. Moreover, I have taken care of a parent in their latter years, and I believe it is important that whomever a veteran feels most comfortable with should accompany them on such a journey, and is not expected to ask a stranger to assist a senior citizen with personal care. It is also worth noting that, even in his advanced age, Mr. Art Boon continues to contribute to the community of Stratford, particularly through the central role of arranging the Remembrance Day services each year, caring for the parish of vets who reside in this area and speaking at schools whose students are eager to experience the testimony of someone like Mr. Art Boon first hand. I would like to believe that many parents of Mr. Rick Boon’s students would be supportive of him accompanying his father, as would the citizens of the Huron‐ Perth Counties, many of whom come from Dutch heritage and speak often of their gratitude towards the Canadian men and women who liberated their country. In these last years of these veterans’ lives, I believe it is our duty as Canadians to do everything we can to honour them, not unlike the way the Dutch government is seeking to do today. It is the very least we must do. If not, it is to our great shame. All of those who have served and are serving us still, including their families, deserve every ounce of our support, even if it is inconvenient at times. They have and continue to give us so much. I would respectfully request that further consideration be given to Mr. Boon’s request to travel with his father for this upcoming commemoration and would appreciate a response as your circumstances will allow. Sincerely yours, Loreena McKennitt, C.M., O.M. Honorary Colonel The Royal Canadian Air Force cc. Ted Doherty (via email and Barb Crawford) Randy Pettapiece (via email) The Honourable Gary Schellenberger (via email) bcc. Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs, Gen. (Ret) Walter Natyncyzk (via email)