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Originally Posted by Tobra
No offense intended to either of the folks making the lion's share of the responses. T.o our Canadian contributor, that is sort of like saying Arkansas National Guard troops fighting overseas are not Yanks, they are Razorbacks. They are both.
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Most Canadian historians, and subsequently most historically minded Canadians, understand that the contributions of Canada in WWI is the also the genesis of Canada as an autonomous nation from Britain. We funded our contribution at great expense, we endured the social consequences of decisions such as conscription, and we accomplished things in battle that other nations couldn't. The war changed Canada, and Canadians.
On this day of Remembrance, I think it is important to recognize that "British" is distinct from "Canadian" and "Australian" and "New Zealander", and "Newfoundlander". Not for nationalistic reasons, but because it allows us to see the truly global scope of the conflict.