I wanted to write something to honour our veterans today and really struggled to come up with words. Nothing I say, think, or do, can even begin to compare to the sacrifices they made, the courage they showed and the selfless actions they took…for us.
Canada is at war, right now. Afghanistan. Has it ever occurred to me to leave my cushy job, sign up, fight for my Country and do my part? No. It hasn’t. And I don’t mind telling you, sometimes I am ashamed of myself for that.
I am proud to say that I know a few Veterans. I sit in Lodge with them and I have sat in the Legion with them. One thing that always strikes me, is the peaceful nature of their eyes and gentleness of their actions. Having seen horrors and suffered in ways that we can only imagine, they soldier on, at peace with themselves. For some, it must be very difficult.
These were men that loved us enough to leave loved ones and jobs to go to war. They left everything behind, because it was the right thing to do. Good Lord, where would be right now without them?
We owe our Veterans everything, but sometimes I can’t help but feel that Canadians do not do enough. At the very least, consider joining the Legion. Their numbers are down, they have relaxed the entrance requirements and I am sure they could use the financial support.
I’ll be at the service on Remembrance Day. It’s the least I can do.
Hope to see you there.
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.
- John McCrae
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