Canadian and American troops fought together and bled together in the scorched hinterlands of Afghanistan.

And for that reason there is a palpable sense of dismay — even betrayal — among Canadian veterans toward the Trump administration over its threats and treatment of not just Canada, but other allies such Ukraine.

A meme circulating online — a photo of troops in front of the maple leaf rock monument at Ma’sum Ghar, the Canadian forward operating base in western Kandahar — was recently captioned: “We went because you were attacked. We didn’t ask for your thanks. Neither did 158 of us who died for you.”

“I think if 9/11 were to happen again, I honestly don’t think I would be as willing — or ready — to help the Americans as I did in 2001,” said retired corporal Bruce Moncur, who was gravely wounded when an American ground attack jet accidentally strafed Canadian troops at the start of the milestone 2006 battle known as Operation Medusa.