Winnipeg Free Press

Nominated by: Rae Csversko

Why Tommy Prince should be a Great Manitoban:

Claim to fame: War hero

Manitoba dosage: 4.5

Fast Facts: A descendant of another nominee, Chief Peguis...Canada's most decorated aboriginal war veteran, he was a member of the famous Devil's Brigade...Won Britain's Military Medal and America's Silver Star for his gallantry...In 1955, saved a man from drowning at Alexander Docks...Alcoholism following the war led him to sell his medals, but they were later repurchased.

39 Comments

• Canada's greatest soldier overcame Nazis Koreans, prejudice, and apathy to rise to greatness. Quit was not a word in his vocabulary. His sacrifice and accomplishments tower above his peers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Prince

  Posted by: G. Warren | 2008-05-30 18:25:55

• A greater warrior Manitoba has not made. His battles are as legendary as his character. He was a master in the art of war and a builder in his own community. The Prince bloodline is Manitoba's only claim to Royalty. Tommy Prince's exploits are beyond greatness. His biography should be mandatory reading in all Winnipeg schools.

  Posted by: Brad Monteath | 2008-06-01 00:15:48

• A good Canadian. A good soldier. We let him down on his return to civilian life. WHO known what war does to the mental health of individuals.

  Posted by: Robert Powell | 2008-06-23 17:04:05

• My Uncle tried to make abetter place for all to grow and strive but as he always said "he did not do it alone"

  Posted by: Gail Bartlett | 2008-06-25 02:21:32

• Imagine the heart-swelled cracked smile on him, if he won this Greatest Manitoban recognition in 2008. The statue of his cracked smile painted on the walls of winnipeg, Manitoba.

  Posted by: Denise Gladu | 2008-06-28 15:32:57

• I just met a gentleman today who told me Mr. Prince saved his grandfather's life during the war. He spoke of him with honor & pride. He inspired me to vote for one of Canada's greatest soldiers as "The Greatest Manitoban". It is truly fitting. Thank you Jamie for your story. I also shared with him what I knew of Mr. Prince that he was from the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation. A true hero!

  Posted by: Phyllis Contois | 2008-07-03 21:59:12

• "The character of a man is not defined by what he has said but rather by what he has done". In life, uncle Tommy exemplified this statement more than anyone I have ever met. Uncle Tommy lived the true spirit of being Aboriginal, and this is what he had with him during all his times overseas. Uncle Tommy truly demonstated what honour is all about. It is an honour to be his niece and to have known him.

  Posted by: Darlene James | 2008-07-07 15:10:28

• I think it is time to really know and define what a "HERO" is.I have 3 generations of family that served in the war. Most of them never came back and were young men.The ones that did got their medals.The point of a "HERO" is leaving that legacy afterward that help other people for many years to come.Who contribute to all people's lives all all Nations equally.Like "TOMMY DOUGLAS".So let's take a few names off this "HERO".

  Posted by: RHR | 2008-07-08 18:38:10

• My Uncle Tom Prince also had siblings who died in the war, and I'm sorry you feel that way about my Uncle!! In our eyes and in so many other peoples eyes he is a HERO!!! This is NOT about race or what Nation you come from it's about the ACHIEVMENTS you have made!! Unfortunetly nobody recodnized that till he passed away!!

  Posted by: Gail Bartlett | 2008-07-09 18:33:26

• Confused? Is this a legal vote from computers? How many times can one vote from one computer with one email address or with many email addresses from one computer?

  Posted by: TR | 2008-07-10 00:31:50

• A great man, strong but never got what was entitled to him, fought for the country that would deny him what was owed to him....this is an opportunity to make ammends.

  Posted by: Bonnie Thompson | 2008-07-10 14:56:00

• There are millions of men and women and children that are "HERO's" during every war. Again ,the question is on the table.what REALLY constitutes a "HERO"? How did this man's own people treat him after the war,did they feed him,give him a roof over his head? Ga-zillion "HERO's" in a war sitaution , let's be fair and get every soldier,cook, etc..alive or dead on the list then.Every one is a "HERO".

  Posted by: SP | 2008-07-10 17:25:55

• The Free Press has a lot of gall to cheap shot Tommy Prince by mentioning his problem with alcohol after he returned home to people who didn't really appreciate what he was about. How would you like me to dig up dirt on Izzy Asper or some of the other Free Press favourites. This is racist yellow liberal journalism at it's lowest. I demand that you remove the alcoholic comment and present his life in the best possible light as you have the other candidates--you racists!!!!! If Tommy Prince doesn't win, we're holding you responsible for blackballing him.

  Posted by: jake delorme | 2008-07-10 18:21:18

• The person who nominated him said that. This is what happens when you place a person up for a vote,,all the skeleton's come out of the closet.Why did his own people not take care of him, when he got back and nurture him? Just like in any public forum,,the dirt comes out.If one does not like the truth and the dirt don't nominate a person to begin with. There is no racism in this blog of "HERO's", just facts coming out of the woodwork. The blame is not on the people who find the dirt is it a reality of a person's life. So your only black balling yourself, to a right of communication.

  Posted by: MI | 2008-07-10 20:57:33

• Thank You Jake Delorme, I have noticed the people who are posting the NEGATIVE comments on here are only putting their initials. I for 1 am VERY proud of my Uncle Tom and I'm sure that his nomination by Rae Csversko was NOT because he was a drunk!! I have worked in Legions and respected all Veterans, whether they are living or passed on, just a little something I learned from my Uncle Tom.....RESPECT.!!! And also like I said in an earlier post my Uncle always said "He did'nt do it alone", he acknowledged the men and women who fought in the war!!

  Posted by: Gail Bartlett | 2008-07-10 21:11:35

• As a young soldier (17) with 2 PPCLI in 1978, Tommy Prince was one of the first soldiers I learned about. His character, bravery and humbleness made him not only a hero but a person that we should all be proud to call a true Canadian. The medals he earned were a reflection and reward for the unselfish sacrifices he made to the service of our country. Please take the time to learn about this individual and you will come to realize that a vote for Mr. Tommy Prince is a small gesture compared to the enormous contributions he made in protecting our freedoms.

  Posted by: Eric Muise | 2008-07-11 14:22:42

• The definition of a HERO is someone who gives unconditionally of themselves and asks nothing in return. Mr Prince meets these qaulification in spades. As for why his people didn't take care of him after the war, I am his people he is Canadian and I am Canadian and I didn't take care of him and am forever regretful of that fact. Others on this list have done thing that benefit us all but Mr Prince makes us look at ourselves and shows us how we can be better. He meets my requirement of a HERO....

  Posted by: Terry Thompson | 2008-07-11 18:35:11

• Hey Jake Delorme. You talk about yellow journalism and yet you practice it yourself. Poor old Izzy has been dead for 5 years and nothing to do with this contest. Let the man rest in peace, isn't that what Mr. Prince fought for? you're demeaning Mr. Prince's memory with your bitter commentary. Don't sweat the alcoholism comment, it was part of Mr. Prince's true story, people don't hold that against him. i think Tommy Prince would be against the kind of censorship that you espouse.

  Posted by: David Anderson | 2008-07-15 01:40:40

• I was so upset to hear my Uncle Tom's Statue at the park on Battery was vandilized and his replica medals taken!! Is this how you show your gratitude for one of the many who fought in wars to make this a better world to live!!! Who ever did this YOU are trully a COWARD!! I hope they find you and you do some work for the community and be THANKFULL your still here!! My Uncle isnt!!

  Posted by: Gail Bartlett | 2008-07-15 11:47:57

• I was so upset to hear my Uncle Tom's Statue at the park on Battery was vandilized and his replica medals taken!! Is this how you show your gratitude for one of the many who fought in wars to make this a better world to live!!! Who ever did this YOU are trully a COWARD!! I hope they find you and you do some work for the community and be THANKFULL your still here!! My Uncle isnt!!

  Posted by: Gail Bartlett | 2008-07-15 11:48:56

• Stealing the replicas of a war hero doesn't make one brave; Vandalizing his statue does not make one strong. Restore the medals, repair the statue, honour the legacy. In tracing Tommy Prince's footsteps you may discover the hero within yourself.

  Posted by: Brad Monteath | 2008-07-15 13:49:15

• Nope take his name off the books and any statue,and medals he got great.But far from a real hero.

  Posted by: ev | 2008-07-16 12:35:43

• To ev: How dare you say this, he Is a REAL HERO , and not the coward you are ...can only sign your initals??? If it were not for people like Tommy Prince who had the courage to fight in wars where do you think you would be????

  Posted by: Gail Bartlett | 2008-07-16 15:28:06

• I agree with Gail. Her uncle is a hero and deserves to be honored for what he did as a soldier. A truly brave man and his fate should have been better than what it was. Tommy Prince, I salute you hero.

  Posted by: Nick Turkit | 2008-07-17 16:53:51

• What date did this happen? Are all his family getting their money together to replace and restore the vandalism.

  Posted by: Bret | 2008-07-18 13:20:37

• Did the police take fingerprints? Do families pay to have statues and plaques made or do all peoples tax dollars pay whether they want to or not.

  Posted by: JUB | 2008-07-18 13:25:32

• The last 2 comments rpove this province is full of idiots and morons!

  Posted by: Nick Turkit | 2008-07-19 14:27:28

• If the people bashing Uncle Tom only knew him!!! He was such a gentle man considering what he saw and what he went through in the war! I have heard nothing but praise from those who knew Uncle Tom, those who fought in the war along side with him. It is really sad how some people can bash the men and women who fought in the war, and if these people who choose to bash our soldiers would only go join the Army and go through what our many soldiers do I'm sure you would not be so quick to critize!! And don't you know where your tax dollars go?? They are fixing our streets, putting people out of their homes for a water park,and feeding people who get caught vandalizing!!! Sory just a bit of critisism there!!

  Posted by: Gail Bartlett | 2008-07-19 15:31:03

• It's crunch time and Tommy's trapped behind enemy lines. He can't win this battle--only you can do it. Are ready to be a warrior for Tommy Prince? If the answer is yes, this is what you need to do. Say you only have one computer and a 100 people who want to vote. Type "proxy server" in Google and find as many proxy servers as you can. Use each proxy server once to vote. Now type "search engines" into Google & copy and paste your results into MS Word for later. Now type "anonymouse" into google. Use anonymouse to access your search engines. Type "Free Press" into each search engine and vote. (It won't work for google). You can use each search engine on each proxy server that you have. If you find 20 proxy servers and 10 search engines, you should be able to use a computer to help 200 people to vote each day. Call as many friends as you can and share this information. Tommy Prince came through for Canada. Now it's your turn to present Tommy Prince with the honour of being the Greatest Manitoban. He's counting on you. Don't let him down.

  Posted by: Jay Lee | 2008-07-20 03:17:59

• Gail do you have to include "My uncle" in every comment? By doing so you minimize the contribution of a true Hero. Tommy Prince's efforts and victories were global. He fought for all of Canada and their allies. He was not elected into battle, he elected to battle. The selfless acts of true patriotism and bravery are honored, and such attributes should not be put on display for personal or commercial gain.

  Posted by: N MYRON | 2008-07-20 14:32:02

• THE greatest MANITOBAN- in a word HERO,our youth can learn alot from him.

  Posted by: lawrence zglobicki | 2008-07-20 14:36:21

• Sorry it was not for personal gain or commercial gain that I call Tommy Prince "Uncle" it's just that my mom was his youngest sister and all my life I only knew him as Uncle Tom, I appologize and from now on so that I don't offend people I will call him Mr. Prince.

  Posted by: Gail Bartlett | 2008-07-20 22:19:03

• Oh Yes Jay Lee! Way to go,yes,let's a;; cheat our votes in.Let's do what you suggested.This is a farce and not a real vote as computer's can be rigged in so many ways to get thousands of names to vote. Please people. My vote is no for Tommy Prince anyway. There are far more nicer places to win a prize for this vote too.Churchill give us a break! Try Whistler Mountain for a week. Much better prize with many activities.

  Posted by: WW | 2008-07-22 08:38:09

• Some posters here are right. Some names should be removed from the list. But certainly no Sgt. Tommy Prince's name For in deed, he is a great Manitobian, a great Soldier, and a great Canadian. those who critisize him for his alcohol problems in later life, think of this He served selflessly as a Soldier when his Country needed him, He asked for nothing for himself. and suffered through the wounds physical and emotional, that are the legacy of all who serve Our nation, at the time there was no such thing as PTSD, or Operational Stress disorder, all who go into combat situations are affectted to some degree, so don't judge it unless you lived it.

  Posted by: Robert M. Christy | 2008-08-05 16:46:53

• Do you people who criticize his alcoholism realize the effects of war? Just because he is native, that is the reason all you people are harping on it. Alot of soldiers battle drugs and alcohol after their return, and it is because they are SELF-MEDICATING due to stress and depression and other effects of seeing people blown up infront of you. no one says anything about that!!! and it certainly doesn't make what they did - sacrifice their mental health and their lives in some cases so that you can sit on your computer and bash them. idiots.

  Posted by: Jen | 2008-08-21 20:29:04

• to complete my comment, their alcohol and drug problems after they return do not minimize what they did for our country. he was a hero, as is every soldier, dead or alive, that crosses that line. you should be ashamed of yourself for even suggesting otherwise.

  Posted by: Jen | 2008-08-21 20:32:36

• Gail, your uncle was truely a Hero, and the sense of pride you must feel when you say "my uncle". Don't let the comments get you down. He will always be a hero to us who are grateful for his service.

  Posted by: Kathy | 2008-08-24 07:30:44

• Denise Gladu---your comment makes no sense, you're an idiot.

  Posted by: Charlene | 2008-10-09 11:09:48

• gail you must tell the truth now cause i know it now. i sent messages to you saying mary prince was my great grandma you kept getting confused and making up stuff that didnt make sence at all? you say you mother was the youngest sibling of tommy. yet my harriet prince statues bill prince was the youngest sibling and was born 1921 wheres your mom was born 1925? also you say mary prince was born 2 yrs beofre you mother and marryed a cote but mary pince(my great grandma married george laporte and she was tommy's older sister by a few yrs cause she died in 72 and you my great auntie was outraged when she heard you where saying we are not related to him. my great aunte said there are dozens of people saying they are related to him after the was. espeacially with the last name prince. my auntie has meet him several times for she is his real neice and does not tell everyone she is his neice for she does not want publicity. Another fact is my mom met tommy prince in person cause he came to drink with her mom(his neice) in 1976 a yr before his death. my mom and her older brothers and sisters met him and he even told them that he indeed was there moms uncle and they where his great nefhews and neices. now then i want to know the truth. another thing you only know the siblings that where at the funneral. he has a brother joe and bill who you never listed as his reletives.john was the 3rd oldest boy. so i thoguth it didnt matter if you forgot but then after i figured out about bill your story didnt make sence?? you also did not list bill as his little brother only your mother and margeret. tommy, mary,william,and a few others but my great grandma named her son after her older brother william his name was william laporte. she new her older silbings names and named some of them after her brothers and sisters.you also never told me even tho i asked like 11 times when you aunites and unckels(tommys siblings) where born oyu never replyed only with my mom was born 1925 and mary was born 1923 and tommy 1915. what about the other siblings? my mom said tommy himslef comfirmed that they are related to him threw his sister mary before he died. heres now im related to him.. michael mcmanus(mom was)colleen mcmanus(her mom was) audrey laporte(her mom was)mary prince(who was tommys sister and she married george laporte!.) my aunites and unkles and even my great anuties and unkles all meet tommy...yet i have almost every shread of proof to prove im related where you seem to say im not due to you mom was tommys little sister when tommys youngest sibling was bill born 1921 NOT florence born 1925. and mary prince died 1972 and was in her late sixtys at the time. something does not add up gail...im srry but YOUR NOT RELATED TO HIM SO STOP SAYING IM NOT!)

  Posted by: michael mcmanus | 2008-10-28 22:01:12

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