The horrible events of September 11, 2001 have spawned a flurry of e-mail activity that included one titled “A Tribute to the United States”. This was actually written at the end of the Viet Nam war by Gordon Sinclair.

Listen to the original CFRB broadcast of The Americans by Gordon Sinclair

Sinclair was initially a “newspaper man”. At the young age of 22, he landed a reporting job with the Toronto Daily Star. In the late 20′s and 30′s he traveled the world, contributing assignments as he went.

In 1942, he made the jump to radio and began a program entitled “Let’s Be Personal”. His first commentary outlined the leaders in the Raid on Dieppe. His most famous broadcast was “The Americans”, first aired June 5, 1973. It resulted in a record. The commentary was published with the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Years later, on a visit to Canada, President Reagan mentioned to Prime Minister Trudeau that he had a copy of that record. Trudeau arranged to have Sinclair flown to Ottawa to meet Reagan.

He went on to host radio shows called Ontario Panorama, Show Business and the television series Front Page Challenge.

His two trips around the world resulted in several books he authored, including “Footloose in India”, “Cannibal Quest”, “Will the Real Gordon Sinclair Please Stand Up” and “Will the Real Gordon Sinclair Please Sit Down”.

He has received many awards and distinctions throughout his career.