As I watched the November 11 ceremonies from the National War Memorial in Ottawa this morning, I was touched ( as I am every year) by the amount of veterans that participate in the march past. Each year the numbers of these heroes from World War Two diminish as age and illness takes its toll. We now have a new breed of veterans, those who served in Iraq, Afganistan, and other parts of the world since the Korea Conflict. What strikes me is that these men and women believed in something more important than themselves. They served their country because they believed in something, they believed in freedom, the right to live a life in peace and harmony, where all have opportunity. Many died for this in places that we know and revere, Vimy Ridge, the Somme, Holland, Arnem, Belgium, Pearl Harbour, Iwa Jima, the beaches of Normandy, the list goes on. Countless more were wounded and came home disabled both in mind and body. The men and women who served and fought came from Canada, the United States, Great Britain and many other countries that believed in freedom . We remember these heroes ( although they would never see themselves this way, they saw what they did as " doing their job", doing what needed to be done) because of their courage, honour and dedication to their country. They were and are a different breed, a special type of person, they remain this way in our minds and hearts, even decades after their service. We remember them and their effort with pride and a tear. We remember that they have allowed us the life we lead with their death, injuries and sacrifice. On this special day we pause to remember, to reflect, to honor. We do this with gratitude..... just my thought
" Age shall not weary them, not the years condemn, at the going down of the sun and in the morning.. we will remember them.
I remember with gratitude Private Bertie Strong, Canadian Infantry ( Alberta Regiment), Killed in Action, November 19, 1916 , and Robert Strong RCAF Pilot, Killed in Action June 7, 1942.
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