Ron Longhurst, Royal Canadian Legion #2, Submitted
The significance of Remembrance goes far beyond remembering the fallen. It’s a special day that nurtures coast-to-coast unity and inspires Canadians to reflect on how much value we place on our freedoms and peaceful way of life.
Rightfully every day, but especially on Remembrance Day, it is really about every conflict where Canadian men and women have served, and not just about recalling the horrors of World War I or World War II. We must consider the work of Canadians who fought in Korea, and on to modern-day diplomatic and military assignments. The spirit of this day is about respecting and remembering those who have fought, served, and sacrificed.
The act of observing Remembrance always involves many public events organized in many venues across the country on this day.
We simply must support our troops with appropriate increases in numbers, pay, medical services, rehabilitation, and hardware budgets, to ensure a modern up-to-date force.
As we appreciate this special day, we will be retold of the importance of peace, the significance of our freedoms, and the enduring strength of our nation.
Together let’s offer continued support for our Canadian military service members and their institutions.
Our troops are and have been well trained specialists in military combat. Make no mistake, military combat means lethal force … the enemy doesn’t “tap out”. In their new roles as peacekeepers, however, they have provided excellent service to many troubled regions of the world. Keep in mind that their primary identity is and always has been, one of combat not peacekeeping.
When members of our armed forces complete these tours on foreign soil, they return home and are expected to turn all that “combat training” off … and to once again be like regular “civvy” folks. Can that be done with the flick of a switch? In some cases yes, and in others, maybe not.
But here’s the thing; when our troops return home these days, they are not greeted with parades. They don’t see flags flying or any fanfare. The general public doesn’t really know much about what they went through overseas, or where they went. They (the public) might see combat veterans when they return to Canada; and they might not.
Consider now, if they don’t have a strong family unit waiting to receive them back home, or a job waiting for them, how are they supposed to survive? We live in an overpriced, over populated world … it’s expensive to buy food, have a home, have a vehicle, and provide for and cultivate a family of your own. It’s no secret that times are harsh when it comes to the cost of living. What used to cost $10 now costs $30 or more.
Our military spends great resources on preparing our armed forces with knowledge and skills to engage in combat. We need to provide more educational services on how to return to civilian life and transition out of the military skill-set. These veterans need mechanisms to help them put aside horrible scenes they have in their memories. Many are deeply troubled and disturbed by events that occurred while deployed.
The Canadian government has services that offer advocacy programs to provide assistance for combat veterans. It would seem that we need many MORE such programs and assistance benefits to stop LOSING our veterans on the streets.
Can we do better? We absolutely must find a way to help our proud Canadian veterans graciously transition from combat life back into civilian life with dignity and self-esteem. The deeply troubled vets cannot be left to deal with their trauma alone or we just lose them.
Remember ALL our veterans this Remembrance Day and always thereafter.
And remember to wear a poppy.
Ron Longhurst is a member of the Prince Albert Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 2 Colour Guard. He served as a member of the Saskatchewan Dragoons from 1958 to 1962.
