Remembrance Day 2020: Honoring the Sacrifice of Canadian Heroes
Key Highlights :
This Remembrance Day, we pause to honor the brave Canadian heroes who fought so valiantly in the two world wars, the Korean War, and other peacekeeping missions around the globe. It is a solemn, sacred time for many Canadians to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many to ensure our freedom.
The tragic irony in observing Remembrance Day this year is that there are wars on two continents. The First World War was supposed to be The War To End All Wars. The State of Israel was born from the deaths of six million Jews in Nazi death camps during the Second World War. The ethos of the new Jewish state was “Never Again.” And yet here we are. Anti-Semitism is on the rise again and wars rage unabated. It’s a reminder that peace is transitory and fragile. If we don’t remember our past, we’re doomed to repeat it. That’s why we bow our heads on Nov. 11. It’s not a time to mourn today’s news. We do that every day.
Historically, Canada’s military was always a force for good. During the two world wars, Canada’s role has been largely edited out. Of the 2,962 Allied pilots who took part in the Battle of Britain, 117 were Canadian. That’s not counting those who signed up directly in the RAF. Of the 133 airmen who took part in the daring Dambusters raid, 30 were Canadian. Of that number, 14 were killed. Of the 150,000 Allied troops who took part in D-Day, 14,000 were Canadian. Canada’s population was just 11 million at the time. While Canadians largely weren’t part of Dunkirk, the character played by Kenneth Branagh in the 2017 movie was Canadian James Campbell Clouston. He calmly evacuated 400,000 men over six days under fire.
Let’s not forget how young they were. For six long years, the fate of the free world rested on the shoulders of young men; some still teenagers. That’s what we pause to remember at this time. Those who served and those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Lest we forget.
As we observe Remembrance Day this year, let us take the time to honor those who fought and those who sacrificed so much for our freedom. We must keep our promise to never forget. We must keep their memory alive and remember their courage and bravery.
