A Veterans Point of View – By Robert Simpson
Nov 11th, what does it mean?
I am asked this a lot at this time of year.
As a Veteran who served overseas and was wounded, it means those who gave their lives defending our rights and freedom must never be forgotten we selected the ending of WW1 on Nov 11 1917 at 11 a.m.
The Great War was in fact a horrible War. Every war and every peace keeping mission since that day has had Canadian soldiers killed. Now this year we have seen two soldiers killed here in Canada.
Make no mistake about it, WO Vincent and CPL Cirillo died defending Canada their deaths are from the war on terrorism.
Sadly, there will be more who will die defending Canada.
The rights and freedoms every Canadian enjoys is a direct result of brave men and women standing up to and facing dangers overseas and here at home to ensure your safety.
You must never forget them.
November 11, It also means those who were wounded.
They must be helped every day the constant pain in which they are forced to endure needs to be remembered and helped. It is the least a country can do for those soldiers once they are injured and unable to serve or work. They are the living proof of the sacred oath we as soldiers swear to defend Canada and her citizens until death.
This year is the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.
All of the soldiers who served during this terrible war are gone now.
We must remember always their sacrifice.
The Second World War Veterans with their numbers are dropping fast, as too the Korean War Veterans as most of them were also Veterans of the Second World War.
The new guard is the peace keepers, First Persian Gulf War and the Afghanistan War Veterans.
Those who serve as we speak must be remembered and honoured.
As well as those who gave their lives defending Canada, there is also those wounded both visible and invisible.
They suffer each and every day.
Most will tell you that knowing what they have endured they would do it all over again, so others don’t have to.
We are a special breed, we Canadian Soldiers.
We run towards the trouble when everyone else is running away from the trouble. We have a soft side when it comes to children and the old.
We go out of our way to help them, even when bullets are flying.
So this Nov 11th, stop, be thankful for what you have here in Canada, at 11 a.m. stop and give two minutes silence in remembrance of those who died, were wounded and serve today to allow you the freedoms you enjoy here in Canada.
If you see a Soldier or a Veteran why not stop and say thank you, shake their hand or just wave.
Les we forget.
