REMEMBRANCE DAY I consider November 11th to be one of the most important days of the year. It’s a day to remember all those who have served (and who are serving right now) in dangerous places around the world on behalf of Canada and the freedom, democracy, respect for human rights, diversity and pluralism, and the rule of law for which this country stands. We salute the skill and valour of all the Canadian Forces – women and men, past and present. We commend their triumphs. And we mourn those who died. We stand in awe of their sacrifice. 2014 marks a hundred years from the fateful beginnings of World War One. And 70 years from the defiant Allied landings on the beaches of Normandy. We remember Korea, the Cold War, Suez and 50 years of peacekeeping. We remember the Balkans, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, Libya and now Iraq. Most recently, here at home on our own soil, the tragic deaths of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo are freshly seared into our memory. Whether it’s the losses from a century ago or just a few days ago - we WILL remember them. And we must do more. Beyond the powerful emotions of November 11th, to truly honour those who fought and those who died, we must fulfill the solemn covenant that a country makes with its fighting forces when they are sent into harms way to defend our values and our way of life. They have stood ready to give their all. And when they come home, their country must “stand ready” for them, to meet their needs - socially, economically, physically and psychologically. Our sense of gratitude and generosity must not fail. We have much work yet to do to honour Canadas obligations to its Veterans. And we must keep the faith! Whether its the Nazis in the 1940’s or terrorists in 2014, our foes have always had a common grim objective. They seek to undermine the way we live. They want to embed fear in our hearts and minds. They want us to be intimidated – to think differently about our surroundings and our fellow citizens, to forget who we are and what Canada stands for. We must never succumb to that fear. Yes, we can draw some big lessons from recent tragedies. Well learn, and make effective adjustments. But we must not turn Parliament into a bunker or Canada into a police state. If we erode our rights and freedoms ... if we betray our values ... if we compromise on the way we want to live in this peaceful and welcoming democracy, then the bad guys win. We won’t let that happen. We must not and we will not give way on those very qualities of heart, mind and soul that make us different from our foes. Echoing from Flanders a century ago to the National War Memorial in Ottawa just this past October come the immortal words of John McCrae: “…if ye break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders fields.” Rest easy, dear soldier. We shall keep Canadians safe. And we shall keep Canada, Canada! Lest we forget.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 13:00:01 +0000
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