Kevin Laliberte
Editor, Smoky River Express

Have you ever taken the time to think where we would be without freedom? It’s a fitting question each of us should reflect upon this week in conjunction with Tuesday, Nov. 11, Remembrance Day. On this historic day, Canadians from all walks of life – including those in the Smoky River region – fittingly take the time to pay tribute to the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in times of war for a free Canada with a bounty of liberties. Remembrance Day provides each of us with a unique opportunity to recognize these sacrifices and give thanks to our past and present military personnel for the freedoms and quality of life which we continue to enjoy today but rarely take the time to appreciate. Think about it for a moment... When was the last time you truly appreciated the value of taking a leisurely stroll down the street with your children, traveling without restraints or expressing your opinion in a democratic society free of racial or discrimination. These are all freedoms provided to us at the expense of our past war heroes – all of whom gave unselfishly of themselves for the same collection of deeply cherished and time honoured traditions we continue to value today. For the majority of us, war and death is largely distant and removed from our everyday lives, thanks in large part to the sacrifices of thousands of brave men and women who proudly served this country during times of war and global unrest. Some of the most significant conflicts in the past century date back to our involvement in World War I and the conflict at Vimy Ridge, France, which is still considered by many Canadians to be one of the greatest days in this country’s military history. But our involvement in what has become widely known as The Battle at Vimy Ridge didn’t come without personal loss and sacrifice. Canada’s human death toll at Vimy Ridge came in at 3,598 lives… a number which grew to 11,285 by the time the war came to an eventual end. Those numbers grew by a further 45,000 by the end of the WWII, which included the Canadian forces-led attack on Dieppe in August of 1942 as well as the intense battle on the coast of Normandy on June 6, 1944. These times of human confrontation, while now behind us, continue to serve as a lasting testament to the unselfish personal sacrifices our honoured veterans made for the unified cause of freedom and peace during times of war. Their heroic efforts of the past continue to touch and inspire all Canadians each year despite the fact that virtually all of us have been spared the deep physical and emotional scars endured by our distinguished war veterans. Past wars, if anything, have reinforced the popular saying that “Without freedom, there can be no peace and without peace there can be no freedom.” As Canadians, it is our obligation to honour and preserve the memories of gallantry and courage of the young men and women who have served this country in times of war and peacekeeping efforts. It’s also an appropriate time to express our collective sense of deep appreciation to the present generation of our military forces for their dedication and commitment towards protecting Canada while promoting global peace. The true definition of our war veterans’ sacrifices rest deep within our collective national conscience as we strive toward global peace in a world which is one day free of war, bloodshed, terrorism and death. Our future, and the freedoms that come with it, is their lasting monument. Lest we forget!

Copyright © 2002 Smoky River Express. All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without written permission.

View our Privacy Statement.
Send website suggestions to the Webmaster