User:Cdnrav4x4
I was born in Arkansas in 1947 and spent my youth in Tucson, Arizona. I graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1969. I then attended Graduate School at Colorado State University.
Both my parents were veterans of World War II. My father served war-time combat in the US Navy as a gunner aboard the warship USS San Francisco (CA-38) and my mother served in the US Navy as a nurse in US Naval Hospital in Seattle, Washington. Later, my father was recalled back to active war-time duty on the destroyer USS Jenkins (DD-447) during the Korean War when I was just a pre-school toddler.
My great-grandparents renounced their American citizenship, succeeded from United States of America, joined the Confederate States of America, and fought in the American Civil War (1861-1865) - killing American citizens.
I emigrated to Canada in 1970 as a result of receiving a "Notice of Induction" into the United States Armed Forces during the Vietnam War which was signed by the Commander-in-Chief, Richard Nixon. He was later forced from the office of President of the United States by threat of "impeachment" which is defined in the U.S. Constitution as "treason, bribery, or other high crimes". His U.S. Vice President, Spiro Agnew, pleaded "no contest" to accepting bribes, tax evasion, and money laundering. While in office, Richard Nixon appointed two separate U.S. Attorney General's; the first was John Mitchell and the second was Richard Kleindienst. They both were responsible for the prosecution of draft evaders who refused military service during the Vietnam War. They were both convicted of serious crimes and served time in prison. Seventeen other members of the White House staff were convicted of criminal offences and served time in prison. In contrast, I have never committed a criminal offence or had a criminal record.
In 1970, I was accepted into the US Peace Corps and assigned to Colombia, South America. I declined because I was already residing in Canada.
► ► ► Please refer to: Canada and the Vietnam War#Draft dodgers ◄ ◄ ◄
I had a 27 year career with the Public Service within the Government of the Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Justice, Management Services Branch, Personnel Services Division, Northern Region, where I was employed as the Regional Personnel Officer located in the City of Prince George, British Columbia. I was responsible for Human Resources activities for Corrections Centres, Probation Services, Court Services, Sheriffs, and other Branches of the Criminal Justice system.
Quote by Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau during the Vietnam War: "Those who make the conscientious judgment that they must not participate in the Vietnam War . . . have my complete sympathy, and indeed our political approach has been to give them access to Canada. Canada should be a refuge from militarism."
I have been a financial Patrón of the Latino-Canadian Association of Northern British Columbia located in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada and the Grupo Folklórico Cotzal de Acuña located in Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila de Zaragoza, México for the past 10 years. Currently, I provide all-expenses-paid trips to Mexicans to travel to Canada for summer and winter vacations.
I have been a long-term participant in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.
Currently, I am assisting war refuges from the Ukraine who have relocated to Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.
Summary
- "Je me souviens Vietnam"
- Opposition to the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War
- '60's era U.S. "Draft Dodger"
- Fugitive from Justice
- War resister
- Peace Activist
- Conscientious Objector
- Pacifist
- Peacekeeper with Ceasefire Canada
Dual Citizen
Member and/or Supporter: