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Two Veterans Reflect On The News From Canada

FATEHPAL SINGH TARNEY and DALJIT D. SINGH PANNU

Fatehpal Singh Tarney is a combat-wounded U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam. Major Daljit D. Singh Pannu is a retiree from the Indian Army.




We became close friends quite quickly for two reasons.

First, we were both actively involved in activities at our local gurdwara, including committee seva.

Second, we are both former soldiers with fond and bittersweet memories of our military days and our experiences in war.

We began working together on interfaith programs in south Florida and then began giving presentations on Sikhism to schools and colleges, government agencies, and religious groups. We continue to do this. We have the advantage of providing two different perspectives on our faith: one is that of a person born into it, whilst the other is that of a person adopting the faith as an adult.

We both are proud to be Sikh-Americans. One of us left the land of his birth, Punjab, to come to America. The other left the religion of his birth to adopt a faith that originated in Punjab.

Sikh military veterans have a particular interest in the appointment of the new Minister of National Defence by our northern neighbor, Canada.

Our reaction to the cabinet appointments of four Sikhs in Canada, especially one as Defence Minister, is a combination of joy, pride, and sadness. Pride and joy for Sikhs the world over and Canadians in general, as well as some disappointment given the restricted opportunities for devout Sikhs to serve in the armed forces here in the U.S., in direct contrast to the Canadian situation.

To our knowledge, there are only three saabat surat Sikhs currently serving in the U.S. Army: a physician; a dentist, and an enlisted man with special language skills. All three had to get special dispensations in order to serve.

This is not the case in Canada nor the United Kingdom where Sikhs practicing the full discipline of their faith are not only permitted to serve in their armed forces, but are encouraged to do so.

There was a time when bearded soldiers were an accepted part of the American military. One theory held by some historians is that this changed when the Prussian military became prominent and highly admired in the late 19th century. American commanders became impressed with the short haircuts and the lack of beards of Prussian soldiers probably because of Prussian military success over the French at this time. Prussian influence had much to do with two world wars and perhaps should not be role models in America or anywhere else.

Long hair and beards, for example, never lessened the fighting ability of Northern or Southern soldiers in the American Civil War.

The appointment of a Sikh as Defence Minister in Canada, especially in these troubled times with terrorism at home as well as abroad, is particularly significant. There may come a time when such an appointment of a turbaned person may not be as newsworthy and the media and the public will only discuss his or her background, qualifications and experience.

However, for the moment, turbaned Sikhs holding high government office in the West is unique and worthy of discussion.

Many defence ministers all over the world – not just in the West – are purely political appointments of people with no military background, or minimal military credentials, at best.

Early in both his police and army careers, Lt Col Harjit Singh Sajjan had to overcome flagrant racism, which he did with great courage and grace. His military service in places like Bosnia and Afghanistan makes him uniquely qualified for this post. The Afghans related particularly well to this Sardar because he was a unique bridge between East and West.

Those few Sikh-Americans who also served in Afghanistan were equally effective at building a rapport with the local people. Just imagine the impact if there had been hundreds of Sikhs, instead of just three!

It is an honor for the entire Sikh community worldwide as well as an honor for good people of conscience everywhere for a person of Lt Col Harjit Singh’s calibre to have been appointed to this very important cabinet post. Sikhs and others all over the world now have an inspirational role model.

He worked in an anti drug force in British Columbia, and had the courage to have gone against a close friend in the fight against drugs, showing his bravery, and the Sikh credo of ‘shuhb karman te kabhoon na daron‘ - “Never fear to pursue righteous action!”.

We hope that the example of Lt Col Harjit Singh might reduce the instances of mistaken identity, although we both decry anti-Islamic bigotry as much as anti-Sikh prejudice.

Watching video clips of this extraordinary man on parade is a deeply moving experience that made the two of us particularly proud.

We two old soldiers now walk with an added spring in our steps!


December 18, 2015

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