On November 11, we will pause to remember…
Bedford cenotaph, Nova Scotia |
As a child growing up in the 1960’ and 70’s, my
recollections of Remembrance Day observances are mostly from school. We were
encouraged to remember the brave men and women who fought for our freedom in
the first and second World Wars. I don’t recall hearing much about the Korean
War at that time. We recited “In Flanders Fields”, coloured pictures of poppies
and crosses which were then displayed on the classroom walls, observed a minute
of silence, sang “Oh Canada” and “God Save the Queen”. Some attended memorial
services at a local cenotaph honouring those who had sacrificed their lives in
wartime. Although I had an uncle who served in the navy during World War II,
and my father was sent to Canada as a boy to escape the bombing raids in
England, I feel I was largely sheltered from the horrors and reality of war.
Europe, Japan, Korea, Vietnam – they all seemed a world away, distant and
detached from me. Many people who had experienced those wars seemed hesitant to
discuss it and many wanted to put it behind them and make life and the world
better for their children. It is only as I grow older that I’ve become more aware
of what these wars have cost not only to the soldiers who fought them, but to
their families and the innocent victims who lived through them.
As my son grew up in the 1990’s and into the new
millennium, our world had dramatically changed. No longer was war something
only our parents and grandparents had experienced. Now we could watch it live on television, as it actually was
unfolding, and eventually on the internet. Our children’s schoolmates had
fathers, uncles, and family friends being deployed to the former Yugoslavia,
the Gulf Wars, and Afghanistan. To date, 158 Canadian soldiers have died in
Afghanistan alone, 12 from my home province of Nova Scotia. I am extremely
grateful for the dedication of our soldiers who defend not only our rights and
freedoms, but fight for the liberation of citizens in other countries as well.
Memorial Bell Tower, Halifax |
Living in a military city for the past thirty years has
given me a much deeper appreciation for the cost of fighting for and
maintaining our freedoms. It’s a common occurrence to see armed forces
personnel in their navy or army uniforms as we shop at the grocery store, walk
down a street, or pick up our children at school. Several of our friends are
presently, or have been, employed by our Department of National Defense. We can
drive along our beautiful harbour and view navy ships in port, observe military
helicopters and frigates performing maneuvers in the Bedford Basin, or visit
the Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower which commemorates the December 6,
1917 collision of two ships, one carrying munitions, which resulted in the
destruction of much of the city and killed about 2000 people and injured 9000
others.
We must
remember…we will not forget…
Point Pleasant Park, Halifax |
As a believer and follower of Christ, I also am ever
mindful of the war we constantly fight with the Enemy in the spiritual world,
Satan himself. It is ever present, very real and personal, and he is
relentlessly striving to sway our allegiance from our Commander and the King of
kings, Jesus Christ. This is one war, however, whose outcome is already
determined. We can rest secure that through Christ’s death on the cross and His
resurrection three days later, God has already won the victory. One day our
enemy will be defeated forever. I am eternally grateful for the freedom from
sin’s penalty that Christ’s sacrifice won for me!
“Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His
benefits.” Psalm 103:2
I will not
forget!
Until next Sunday,
Well said, Kathy. Thank-you.
ReplyDeleteRemembering! Thank you so much, Kathy!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy,
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautifully worded post, and your photos add just the right touch. I so agree with you on all of this. Thanks so much for sharing.
Denise
This is a very beautifully written post Kathy and I agree with everything in it. Our world is so changed in the past 20 years and it's only by God's amazing grace that we have a hope eternal in Christ Jesus. I thank you for honoring our veterans and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in this way. My father fought in both world wars (he was 16 when he signed up for the first war!) and we always attend Remembrance Day service. We will never forget. Blessings to you. Pamela
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written post!
ReplyDelete