Veterans can still wear their old uniforms
Re: Let Our Veterans Wear Their Uniforms With Pride, editorial, June 21.
I regret that a lack of clarity and misreporting of a recently released internal order related to the wearing of uniforms after release from active service has resulted in avoidable confusion and insult to veterans. The Royal Canadian Navy holds veterans in the highest regard and has no intent or authority to limit the wearing of older orders of dress, such as wartime patterns. Historic headdress, medals and uniforms that are no longer in use are explicitly exempt from our authority. Their use in celebrating previous service and sacrifice should continue and be encouraged.
The intent of the order was simply to inform serving members — and by extension, those retired members still affiliated with the RCN through our messes and other organizations under our influence — of the protocols associated with a long-standing regulation about wearing current pattern uniforms, specifically Mess dress (a formal evening uniform), after retirement. This specific pattern of uniform still exists and is worn by active serving members. It is important, therefore, to avoid any confusion in identity between those who are on active service and those who are retired and no longer subject to the same rules and expectations as their serving colleagues.
The desired outcome is to have a process that both respects the regulations as well as honours those who are no longer serving. Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, Ottawa. every Armistice day, I enjoy seeing my fellow veterans parade in their round rigs, square rigs, glengarrys, Tam o’ shanters and berets. distinctive headdresses and cap badges identify famous Canadian regiments, such as the Black Watch from Montreal, Toronto Scottish & Irish, Seaforths from Vancouver and our own Canadian Scottish from Victoria.
Since I served on uN peacekeeping duties in egypt and the Golan Heights, I have a blue uN beret. Should I ever choose to wear this, do I ask permission from the Canadian Army or simply go directly to the uN headquarters? Surgeon Commander (ret’d) Ian Buckingham, Victoria.