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Remembering past and present
by Michelle Minnoch

The turnout for the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Belle Ewart Legion on Sunday was a grand one. Many turned out for not only the ceremony of Remembrance, but for the unveiling of the new cenotaph.

Earlier this year, some individual(s) desecrated the cenotaph by ripping off the cross from atop of the monument and smashing some of the base. The act was a despicable one, and, through media attention throughout the country, spawned disgust and outrage.

The new cenotaph is not only an outstanding tribute to those who have served, but those who are serving. That is very important. There are men and women of this country who have left their families and the comforts of home, to fight in Afghanistan; a nation so far removed from what we know, from what we have, and far from the freedoms we enjoy and take for granted.

There was a big to do a few weeks back when Prime Minister Stephen Harper remarked that indeed Canada was involved in a war. I had pretty much figured that out, as did most Canadians, but there was a big uproar over the statement.

Kinda of like when there is a pink elephant in the room. Everyone knows it's there, but no one says anything.

What did most people think? Yes we are peacekeepers, and we are good at it. We are also a country with a great history of being involved in two World Wars and Korea, and on the world stage, we fought hard and won battles that no one else could.

In Afghanistan we are rebuilding roads and schools and are helping a country move forward in terms of education for young people and the advancement of women

Canadians have to realize though that we cannot simply just go in, go about our business building roads and schools and get out. There are obstacles in the way, in the form of the Taliban and insurgents, who do not want us there; who do not want their country and way of life to change.

Remembrance Day is symbolic in so many ways. As the years go by, the men and women who fought in World War I and II are getting older. As the decades go by, the veterans age and eventually the circle of life gets around to everyone, even heroes. One day, your children or children's children will not have a veteran from the World Wars visiting their classroom or participate in Remembrance Day services. They will have veterans from Afghanistan telling their stories; although the equipment and terrain may be different, the stories will have the same underlying tone of fighting for freedom, fighting for the advancement of people, fighting for the right for individuals as human beings that should not be denied.

Those great men and women will be remembered and honoured each year for the sacrifices they made, the people they left behind, the friends they lost and they way their lives turned due to circumstances of the day.

Remember the men and women who made sacrifices and who are making sacrifices. Remember to thank a veteran who fought for our freedoms and to thank a soldier for fighting for someone else's.

It is the least that can be done. Lest we forget.