Web-master's note:

The following letter was written by Mr. Jim Lumsden and sent to The Editor, The Ottawa Citizen.   Jim discusses '''Copps seeks $75M ---' wherein Sheila Copps proposes to spend 75 Million on a portrait gallery in the former American Embassy and The Ottawa Citizen's  editorial of 6 November wherein you suggest that Veterans turn their backs on federal politicians at Remembrance Day ceremonies if an announcement of federal financing for the War Museum is not announced before the ceremonies."   Mr. Lumsden's letter is reproduced here only through his kind permission.  Brian Westbrook, Major (Ret'd)

email: Brian_Westbrook@UManitoba.CA

The Editor:

Ottawa Citizen

For Publication

This has reference to the item at Page A5, 8 November "Copps seeks $75M ---"wherein Sheila Copps proposes to spend 75 Million on a portrait gallery in the former American Embassy and your editorial of 6 November wherein you suggest that Veterans turn their backs on federal politicians at Remembrance Day ceremonies if an announcement of federal financing for the War Museum is not announced before the ceremonies.

It is now obvious that Ms.Copps department believes that funds are available for heritage projects. She has responsibility for both the proposed gallery and a new War Museum. In recommending the use of the funds for a portrait gallery she has clearly demonstrated that her priorities are wrong.

A new War Museum is needed now if not simply to provide a replacement to the present inadequate facilities but it is also needed to demonstrate the gratitude of a Nation to our Veterans while they are still with us. There are still a large number of World War One Veterans but many are reaching the point where they will have lived in three centuries. The average age of World War Veterans is 78. Thus prompt action to honour them is of the essence. The priority plainly and clearly rates ahead of a portrait gallery.

It is not as if the gallery proposal must be set aside for ever. It can be developed in the future and in the same proposed location. Meanwhile there is an immediate use for the former embassy. The Minister of Public Works has indicated he requires the accommodation as interim space while the Parliament Buildings are being renovated. Let him use it for that very reasonable purpose (provided of course that he does not want to build a tunnel under Wellington Street to connect it to the Hill.) while the gallery funds are more properly directed to a New War Museum on a timely basis.

The Government has provided the land. Let''s now put some tangible substance along with the Government''s rhetoric of Remembrance. Announce that the funds are available and the first sod will be turned for our new War Museum on Canada Day 2000.

Jim Lumsden

23 Cedar Grove Court, Nepean K2G 0M4

820-0765