Lest we forget…
Once again, reaching another Remembrance Day — we pause to remember.
With gratefulness, we think of those many veterans from all the wars who willingly served. The many that did not return from the conflicts, we honour their memory.
Many fought valiantly as proud Canadians. It is difficult to even try to imagine the months of agony that those who became prisoners of war (POWs) endured, with nothing to sustain them but hope.
How they must have struggled to keep their perspective as they awaited help!
We’re told, one million Canadians served during World War II; now only 15,000 veterans remain.
Though 18 was the eligible age for enlistment, young men and women eager to serve found a way into the different forces.
Many kids enlisted shortly after their schoolyard days and never returned.
Veterans Affairs has said that in 1941 and 1942 more than 50,000 women donned a uniform of some branch of the armed forces. They helped the allied forces win the war.
Many of our Canadian Forces still dedicate themselves every day to the service of our great nation, knowing they are undertaking risk and sacrifice.
On November 6, we celebrated 150 years since the first sitting of the Parliament of Canada.
We are so fortunate to live in a country where freedom, democracy and the rule of law prevails. How grateful we are to have a say in who we appoint as our leaders.
Meanwhile, we expect honesty and proper diligence to be forthcoming. Our laws we presently have in place should be honoured and the values we still hold dear, treasured.
I have wondered why the people from Trudeau’s government do not welcome the proposed idea of having immigrants to this country subscribe to a set of our Canadian values.
We all need to be reminded of these values from time to time as we appreciate living in this free, wonderful country.
I grew up being taught a deep respect for government leaders and to understand the need for the rule of law.
The focus that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms brought about by the elder Trudeau, can be misused when individual groups feel they need to assert their rights.
Today, our streets are often crowded with one group or another, standing up for a cause or demanding their rights, often rightfully so, exerting their influence to be heard.
Though we all were created equal and deserve fair treatment, I feel some may occasionally take their concerns a little too far — all in the name of freedom of speech.
Though too young to take an active role in the war effort, I was very much a part of the shared concern, as dark clouds of fear and gloom hovered over our community and my family, so many years ago.
As we listened to the radio that September of 1939, bring news of “a now full-fledged world war,” even I knew life was about to change, ushering in a fearful future.
My Dad did his part by going to Goose Bay, Labrador, to help build an airstrip related to the war cause.
At that time, North America was just coming out of an economic depression called the Dirty Thirties.
Young men began enlisting in the cause, many before receiving their summons to join.
I later learned Nels was one of them who received his in the mail the very day he willingly joined the RCAF.
After receiving training at St. Thomas, Ont., Nels was posted to the RCAF base in Patricia Bay, just outside of Victoria B.C.
His military service with the 149 Squadron involved serving as an aeronautics electrician on the Link Trainer — teaching pilots to fly.
Meanwhile, Nels' oldest brother Basil, served as a Lieutenant with the Field Artillery Regiment in England.
Wars take a massive toll on society. It’s been said by those who really know, “War is Hell!” Perhaps the greatest irony of all times is… "fighting a war… to gain peace.”
I remember having to memorize the following poem during my early school days.
Canada’s official poem:
In Flanders Fields, by John McCrae (a doctor from Guelph, Ontario).
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead.
Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved,
and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw the torch;
be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
— beulah
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