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Fellow longhairs,
Here is an interesting article from the May 21 issue of The Vancouver Province www.vancouverprovince.com about long haired men (Native Canadians) in the Canadian Navy.
In the late 70's I saw a Dutch military servicemen with long hair and boy, they looked like hippies with their peace signs, etc.
ENJOY!
Charles
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Locks leave all but barber
laughing
Ian Austin Victoria Bureau
Vern Point is the navy of the '90s.
The master seaman has something
no sailor had until last year dared to
dream about -- long hair.
As Premier Glen Clark and his
cabinet set sail aboard the HMCS
Huron yesterday, Point's flowing locks
stood out among a sea of shaved
scalps.
In December, Point and other native
military men earned the right to grow
ceremonial braids.
"I first put in a request 15 years ago,"
said Point, 42, a Coast Salish father
of four. "It came back about 20
minutes later with a note attached: Get an 'expletive' haircut."
Now that he's legally lengthening his locks, Point likes it.
"It sets you apart, and gives you an identity," said Point, who hails originally from Chehalis.
Point is one of three native Indians who sail aboard the Huron who have earned the right
to let it all hang out.
"Two of us are growing our hair," said Point, noting the third's awaiting high-level
clearance.
"The other one is waiting for approval from his wife. Everyone has a captain."
Point says most colleagues have accepted the longhairs in their midst, although "I do get
called a hippie once in a while."
But Point's luxurious locks have at least one vocal detractor.
"I don't agree with that," said Cpl. Robert Comeau, one of the ship's two barbers.
"I think it's starting to get crazy. I respect Vern, but I think we are a family -- everybody's
the same."
In fact, Barber Bob is so upset he'll back his words with cold, hard cash.
"If he comes for a haircut, I'll pay him $50. I respect their traditions, but if you're in the
military you should respect our traditions."