Fall 2007

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War Amps

Operation Legacy

“It was our war; it is their legacy.”
War Amps Chief Executive Officer Cliff Chadderton

In the mid-1980s, War Amps Chief Executive Officer Cliff Chadderton, along with his fellow war amputee members, became concerned with the increasing number of Hollywood movies that depicted war in a glamorous way.

Movies like Rambo, in which the hero emerged unscathed and the repercussions of war were glossed over, clearly showed that the lessons of the horrors of war were being lost, and that the younger generation was being given the message that war had no real consequences.

To counter this, The War Amps began NEVER AGAIN!, producing award-winning documentaries that honour Canada’s military heritage and at the same time show the lasting devastation and impact that war can have both on people and the environment.

Following its success, The War Amps set out to establish an extension of NEVER AGAIN! that would ensure that these lessons were passed along to youth when they themselves were no longer able to do so.

They created Operation Legacy, wherein older members and graduates of The War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program pass on the stories of the horrors of war that they have learned while growing up and speaking with war amputees. It is they who will carry the message on when no war amps remain.

Operation Legacy is not about the causes, strategies or geopolitics of war. Rather, it has a very simple aim—to tell young people about war and how horrible it is. It tells them that in a war everyone suffers, no matter what uniform they wear or what village or city they live in.

Although Operation Legacy members have not experienced war firsthand, they know what it is like to live without a limb—a bond they share with war amputee veterans.

Among the aims and objectives of Operation Legacy is spreading a message of hope for the future, with the understanding that a military deterrent may be necessary to defend against an aggressor.

Now with a membership of more than 200, Operation Legacy has become recognized as the leading youth organization in Canada in the area of commemoration and remembrance, with a president, vice presidents and regional representatives in every province of Canada.

Operation Legacy members were proud to be part of a National War Museum committee, providing input on what young Canadians would like to see in the new Canadian War Museum. They also were invited to take part in the ceremonies during the installation of Canada’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and have appeared before the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to encourage the continued showing of The War Amps Military Heritage Documentaries.

Members of Operation Legacy take part in remembrance ceremonies across Canada, including the annual ceremony at the National War Memorial. They also have joined the official delegation on pilgrimages to France, Belgium, Vimy and Holland.

In addition to taking part in displays, wreath-layings and other commemorative events across Canada, Operation Legacy has had a significant impact on the classroom, with members making presentations to schools and groups. In the presentations, which are tailored to each age group, Operation Legacy members pass the NEVER AGAIN! message to young people and show film clips and music videos that commemorate Canada’s military heritage while showing the true horrors of war.

A unique feature about Operation Legacy is that it is year-round and not just focused on November 11th. Members are available to speak to classes and groups throughout the year, and they make a point of commemorating important anniversaries in our military history whenever they arise.

Most recently, they noted the 65th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid by writing letters to the editor of Canadian newspapers, making the public aware of the documentaries and resources available from The War Amps to commemorate it. They also present copies of the documentaries to their school and town libraries to ensure that these productions are available at no cost in their communities.

Operation Legacy President Adele Fifield says that they are realistic in their goals. “We know that our program can’t single-handedly stop war, but by passing on this message, we are planting a seed. The young people in the classroom today are the leaders of tomorrow, and hopefully this education about war now will have an impact with the future decision-makers,” she said.

Teaching younger generations about the true horrors of war is part of The War Amps legacy. Through Operation Legacy, older members of CHAMP will continue the Association’s tradition of “amputees helping amputees” and will pass the NEVER AGAIN! message to future generations, long after no war veterans remain.

Teachers wishing to arrange an Operation Legacy presentation can contact The War Amps National Headquarters at 1-800-465-2677 or e-mail operationlegacy@waramps.ca.

In addition, resources such as The War Amps Military Heritage Documentary Series, posters, music videos, bookmarks and more can be ordered free of charge at the same numbers. More information, including a documentary listing, can be found on The War Amps Web site at www.waramps.ca/military.