Remembrance Day – two words that are larger than what some people will ever realize.
Some choose to observe ceremonies of Remembrance Day on November 11, 2024, some were free not too.
But no one should ever forget the sacrifices of men and women from Canada who died for our freedom.
More than 650,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in World War I. More than 66,000 of them gave their lives and more than 172,000 were wounded.
During the Second World War II, approximately 1,159,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders served. The number of deaths totalled 44,090. Thousands more were injured.
There were other peacekeeping missions, “conflicts” as one might say.
The Korean War, the Persian Gulf war, peacekeeping missions in the Congo and many others.
Over 40,000 Canadians served in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014.
A total of 158 Canadian soldiers died in the conflict. Many more were injured and even more are suffering from invisible injuries. Injuries that are invisible but will forever remain with the men and women who served.
Canadians are freely putting themselves in harms way for our safety in parts of the world – every second, of every minute of every day.
It’s something we should never take for granted.
There are very few soldiers remaining from World War II to tell their stories.
But looking around at the Remembrance ceremony in Cobourg there are people that can tell you what conflict is, what war is. They’ve seen it, they’ve felt the concussion from the bombs, they’ve witnessed death and it’s something they will struggle with every day of their lives.
Veteran’s Affairs said “This Remembrance Day, we take time to honour the fallen, Canada’s Veterans and currently serving military and police members for their courage, service and sacrifice, at home and around the world, as well as their families and their loved ones.”
Some scars that will never heal over time. It’s something the men and women who serve along with their families have to live with.
They freely chose to enlist – the least we as a country can do is to be there for them when they need it the most.
When they come home.
The invisible scars.
Witnessing the horrors of combat might be masked with alcohol or drugs, but it will always there.
All the killing machines on the battlefield are no match for one’s mind and what it can do.
The beautiful colours of a setting sun over Lake Ontario can’t erase vivid memories from serving in other parts of the world.
As a country we are extremely fortunate to the point of being spoiled for our freedoms. We “expect” it.
But it’s the blood from the men and women who served and died on foreign lands for what we have today living in the best country in the world.
Take a moment and realize that freedom we sometimes taken for granted is because of the sacrifice of those who served and died along with those who are serving now in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Those men and women who were on parade on King Street in Cobourg marching to the cenotaph.
There may not be a World War I, World War II, Korean War or Afghanistan happening at the moment, but don’t ever doubt there are soldiers wounded from what they’ve witnessed long after the battle is over.
Promise yourself to be there for them – for their families.
Long after the battle on the field is over.
Lest We Forget
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
