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OPINION: Chilliwack Fair91Ƶs display of tank crushing cars deemed 91Ƶinsensitive91Ƶ in light of Ukraine war

Chilliwack has a proud military history but military tanks shouldn91Ƶt be crushing civilian vehicles
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A Chilliwack Military Education Centre tank crushing cars is scheduled to be on display at the Chilliwack Fair on all three days, Aug. 5, 6 and 7, 2022. (Chilliwack Fair Facebook)

The 150th Chilliwack Fair is this weekend with a huge lineup of events and entertainment from traditional agriculture displays and the rodeo to the Chilliwack Model Railway Club to Vancouver Circus School and much more.

One demonstration, however, is causing some distress and could be potentially upsetting for some people.

As part of the ongoing outdoor activities, the Chilliwack Military Education Centre (CMEC) is scheduled to have a number of military vehicles on display, including a working tank.

91ƵCheck out the damage this massive tank can do all weekend long!91Ƶ according to a post on the Fair91Ƶs website. 91ƵYou might even get a chance to take a ride in it.91Ƶ

When Tamiko Charlton saw an image on the Chilliwack Fair91Ƶs Facebook page of a military tank on top of two cars, she said it actually made her cry.

91ƵGlorification of what a tank can do to a civilian vehicle has got me in tears. I can91Ƶt believe in this day and age how they could think this is OK,91Ƶ Charlton told The Progress.

Charlton is hosting three young Ukrainians who fled the Russian invasion to come and work in B.C.

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A widely viewed video on YouTube from the war in Ukraine shows a tank-like vehicle, a surface-to-air missile system actually, driving right over top a car with someone inside. (The video goes on to show people rescue the person, who miraculously survived.)

91ƵTanks are not supposed to crush civilian vehicles,91Ƶ Charlton said. 91ƵMaybe Russian tanks, but why glorify it?91Ƶ

Chilliwack citizen Bradley Gionet also expressed dismay at the tank demonstration on social media.

91ƵAs a community that is housing dozens of people displaced by the war on Ukraine, as well as refugees from Afghanistan and Syria, this is completely distasteful and insensitive,91Ƶ he posted on the Chilliwack Fair91Ƶs Facebook page.

Someone from the fair responded: 91ƵYes, the fair is primarily agriculture but it is also entertainment and family activities. We are always (looking) for fun and exciting ideas, feel free to send us an email or DM with comments or suggestions.91Ƶ

Others commenting on social media said they didn91Ƶt have a problem with the planned tank display.

One person said that people should remember that Chilliwack is not just built on its agricultural roots but has a long military history with CFB Chilliwack.

Others agree.

91ƵWhen I was a kid, CFB Chilliwack was heavily involved with both Canada Day and the Fair,91Ƶ Rick Nicholas posted. 91ƵI91Ƶm not sure I see an issue here.91Ƶ

CFB Chilliwack is long closed but there is still a small military presence in town. There is the CMEC and the CFB Chilliwack Historical Society (CFBCHS) runs the Chilliwak Military Museum on Wellington Avenue.

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There is no question indeed that Chilliwack has both a rich agricultural tradition and military history.

If it wasn91Ƶt for a photograph of a large piece of military equipment crushing civilian vehicles, I don91Ƶt think anyone would have had an issue with what is planned for the Fair.

No matter what people think of the tank demo, the Chilliwack Fair has tons of great things planned from 4-H to music to gold panning.

Check out the whole lineup at .


Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:
editor@theprogress.com


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