Thank you for re-posting that, WalnutBaron. It is as moving now as it was two years ago, maybe even more so, as the world faces another war, albeit this time against an enemy that moves amongst us often unseen until it is too late. Two years ago who thought we might be once again facing such a crisis as this pandemic?
For over a century now, Americans and Canadians have fought side-by-side as comrades-in-arms when the call came to face down a common threat. It started with the ditches, fields and skies of Europe in two world wars, and continued with the jungles and cities of south-east Asia in WWII, the naval convoys and battles on both the Atlantic and the Pacific, the hills of Korea, the destruction in Kosovo, the deserts of Kuwait, to the battle against terrorism in Afghanistan and even now the continuing battles in Iraq and Syria.
So many lives given for the cause of freedom from tyranny and oppression. Those sacrifices must be honoured every day, but especially on days like Memorial Day, when we need to pause and give thanks. Most of the Greatest Generation are now gone. They set such a fine example of sacrifice. After battling the hardships of the Great Depression, they readily took up the call to arms in WWII and upon their return vowed to create a better world. I am happy one of them is still alive. My father-in-law served with the Canadian Army in WWII from Normandy through to victory in Germany. He celebrated his 100th birthday last fall!
He has talked more recently to me about what it was like, some of which none of us would prefer to experience. Yet they persevered and would do it again, if called. My wife and I took him on a tour of north-west Europe in 2004 during the 60th D-Day celebrations, from the mouth of the Loire to the Dutch-German border. At 85 it was his first trip back to the continent since the war. He told us it gave him a great sense of peace and satisfaction. The memories of destruction and loss, of starving people and death everywhere, could be replaced with scenes of prosperity and people enjoying happy, free lives. He was thanked by so many people on that trip for what he had helped accomplish, including an amazing German couple, that it overwhelmed him at times. I think it was cathartic for him and he often still comments on how much he enjoyed the trip and how glad he was to have been able to do it.
As part of the pilgrimage we made sure to also pay our respects wherever we could, from the Canadian cemetery in Normandy at Bény-sur-mer, to the cemeteries at Dieppe and Vimy Ridge, the memorial for the Battle of St. Julien and the Menin Gate in Belgium, to the Holten and Groesbeek Canadian war cemeteries in Holland. Each time we would sign the guest book and then wander the rows of head stones and realize how young so many of them were. They gave their tomorrows so that we could have our todays. It is so important that we remember that, and not just on days like Memorial Day or Remembrance Day.
Watching the film clip again, I am reminded how much of a difference strong, inclusive and visionary leadership can make when a nation is faced with a crisis or enemy. Reagan's moving words at the beginning and Lincoln's words at the end are such fine examples of how often America has been blessed by such stellar leadership. I think the Gettysburg address is probably one of the all-time most moving and inspiring addresses, right up there with Churchill's "on the beaches", "never was so much owed by so many to so few" and "some chicken, some neck" addresses.
Blessings on Memorial Day to all my American cousins. Long may the Star Spangled Banner and the Maple Leaf fly together over free nations. My thanks and gratitude to all those who have served or are serving, and especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. This year that particularly includes all those front-line workers who have taken up the challenge to save lives, even while potentially endangering their own. Thank you for your service!!
Lest we forget!
