“The purpose of Cenotaphs and memorial services should be a ghastly reminder of the horrors of War.”
– Penticton High Annual, 1926.
On Nov.11, we recognize the service of former CF veterans and pay tribute to the sacrifice of the thousands of sailors, soldiers and air force persons, who never grew old and missed the experience of old age aches and pleasures.
In the cold outdoors of Veterans Park or indoors at the Trade and Convention Center, what will be your thoughts?
Do we remember that Canada has been to war twice in that last two decades? First in Afghanistan, our longest war, where 40,000 CF soldiers served that resulted in 2,175 injured, 4,000 Post Traumatic Stress victims and 58 dead. When Canada left Afghanistan in 2014, were there any positive results with our billion dollar a year experience? What about those Afghans who helped us? Has Canada assisted present day victims of the Taliban? Ghastly horrors echo weekly from that war.
Why did we go to war in North Africa – our second war this century? Ask your local MP!
On Remembrance Day, should Canadians reflect on the present two wars in today’s news?
Yes these conflicts are complex. Both have “Two-Valued” governments on one side and victims on both sides. What is the intelligent compassionate answer?
Cease fire and talk to give peace a chance? Or execute another attack?
Do school assemblies talk about the horrors of war on this day? On this revered day, I remember the courage of veterans under testing circumstances of war and peace whom I admire.
Such as Syd Kenyon, a WWI German POW, who frequently refused to work; was tossed in ‘the cooler’ a half dozen times; attempted to escape several times, then did, one of 99 Canadians escapees during the Great War.
Kelowna’s Capt. George Barr in early 1970s served in Vietnam with Canada’s contingent to the International Commission of Control and Supervision (ICCS), who “scolded” an Eastern Block colonel for lying in his ICSS report.
Ten years ago, Pen High ‘95 graduate Robin Richardson, a SAR Tech, RCAF, parachuted onto an Arctic iceburg and rescued a stranded Inuit hunter.
“At the going down of the sun and in the morning” when you pin your poppy who do you remember?
David B.J. Snyder
Father #85