November 11

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, 

We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

I once had the pleasure of spending November 11th in the company of a lady who had been a little girl in Holland when the Canadian Troops liberated it.  She told me stories of the Netherlands during the war; about the horrible things done to her Uncle, who was a Catholic Priest; about the hardships and suffering, about the fear and the hiding.


And the unending gratitude they felt towards the Canadians who came and ended it.



I spent a lot of that day in tears with her, and I have never been able to approach this time of year without thinking of her, and everything she described to me.



Two years ago I spent at my local cenotaph in tears, since the Wolf and I had lost touch, and I didn't know where he was.  This year the tears will come again, since I do know where he, and so many others, are, and why.

Remember the dead, but don't forget the living.

Not all wounds are visible.

To all who serve: never doubt that what you do is worth it.  Although they may never be able to tell you themselves, the impact you make on the lives of the people you protect, people who are complete strangers to you, cannot be expressed in words.  You do make a difference.  God bless you all.

To those who appreciate the sacrifice that is made: those who served or have served do not take our respect for granted.  They need to hear it.  They need to be told that we appreciate what they do, and have done.  Please do not be shy with your appreciation, or embarrassed by it.