I'll make no bones about it. I am a huge supporter of Canada's fighting men and women. In my opinion, the Canadian Armed Forces are a national treasure with an exceptionally proud history.

This admitted bias has nothing to do with glorifying war, or violence. This has never been Canada's reputation. Unlike some other nations on this continent, Canada has never sought out war. However, we sure know how to influence the outcomes of armed conflict through our participation and sacrifice. As a testament to the values that forged this country, Canadians are known for rising to the cause of global need. And we have always put our blood, sweat, tears, and money where our mouth is.

During the ChrÈtien years, Canada's military was neglected and ignored. While asked to carry out very difficult tasks on a regular basis by the government, our military men and women were poorly equipped and rarely praised. Paying for a military isn't cheap. However, it is a convenient scapegoat for special interest spending by political parties with debts to pay to voting blocs.

I am always amused when the NDP talks about supporting Canada's military. Who's kidding who? Canada's Armed Forces would be starved into extinction if 'Lefty Layton' ever got hold of parliament.

One thing about Canadian soldiers - they will always give it to you straight up. This is a stark contrast to politicians of all stripes, who will be the first to run for the bomb shelters when the salvo of truth comes raining down.

I'm not a soldier. I think I could be if needed, but I'm merely a fan at this point.

I've always been attracted to the role of soldier. Call it naive, but I've always had a romantic notion of defending Canada's sovereignty. I have always believed this country and its principles are worth fighting, and possibly dying, for.

In 1997, I had the privilege to spend two weeks with Canadian Armed Forces in Bosnia-Herzegovinia. The war in the former Yugoslavia had pretty much cooled down by that point, but there was still some dangerous work to be done to maintain a fragile country that had just completed almost a decade of killing in a pointless ethnic conflict.

It was an experience I will never forget as a journalist. I was honoured to report on the yeoman's work done by Canadian forces in the northwest portion of Bosnia-Herzegovinia.

One thing I do remember, however, is how poorly equipped our soldiers were in such a dangerous zone. Many of the soldiers I talked to were somewhat ashamed of the equipment the were provided by the government and the Canadian taxpayer.

Last Saturday, I spent the entire day with the 31 Canadian Battle Group, made up of soldiers from Southern Ontario, as they completed an exercise for reservists at the Central Land Training Base near Meaford.

It was nice to rub shoulders once again with the men and women who choose to make the commitment and sacrifice of being a reservist.

Aside from the professional or full-time soldier, reservists are the competent back ups ready to answer the call when asked. Many are currently playing roles in Afghanistan. Many reservists have already paid the supreme sacrifice.

I am happy to report that our armed forces no longer feel shamed of their equipment. They are proud of the tools provided to them, and in fact, many said they believe they have some of the best equipment in the world.

I was shuttled around a very impressive training facility and watched our reservists conduct some serious training exercises. Much of the training was geared toward the situation in Afghanistan, but there was a lot of basic tactical training as well. Reservists from Hamilton and other parts of Southern Ontario spent three days getting up to speed on modern military strategies.

Many soldiers I talked to were very thankful to the Canadian public for providing resources they could be proud of and were confident taking into dangerous situations.

One soldier told me the Canadian C8 assault rifle was better than the common American M16 military gun and more effective than the Russian built AK47.

I don't remember that type of confidence expressed by the soldiers at the base in Velika Kladusha, Bosnia-Herzegovinia back in 1997.

Even though it was a brief jaunt with the members of our Canadian Armed Forces, it's always nice to be reminded that there are people around us who are prepared to commit to global needs.

It was a welcome contrast to the daily barrage of mouthy, self-serving ideologues who yap a lot from cozy couches but dive under the covers when the going gets tough.