Sitting in the cold…watching the regiments and veterans parade by…all the while managing the needs of young children and their competing hands for access to the sole box of popcorn, I am reminded of the reality that a lot of men and women I did not know perished so that might sit here free of the will of tyrants, dictators and other truly evil oppressors. I, of course, hope that my own children never have to make these same sacrifices so that other generations may live fancy and free, or come to understand the brutalities, ugliness and tragedies of war. Still, it strikes me that the value and importance of these sacrifices is lost to more and more with each new generation…and as those veterans, the true architects of our memories, file past in diminishing numbers…so to does our remembrance of their greatest sacrifice seem, somewhat less heavy. We would all do well I think to consider how our freedoms hinge so precariously these days…on people, places and conflicts that have very little to do with the priorities of our own backyard. That, not unlike our forefathers, we are forever bound to the grander world stage…and that our seeming complacency and preferred ignorance, may in fact be the very thing that brings it all crashing down around us…leaving a legacy for our children to rebuild with their own unimaginable sacrifices.
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Lawrence Lewis
“In war the heroes always outnumber the soldiers ten to one. ” – H. L. Mencken
About Lawrence Lewis
I do a number of things professionally...but most of all and the true purpose of what I do through "my work" is to provide for my family, be a good husband and great father, and try to make a difference as a world citizen...I guess it's not much more complicated than that 🙂
Thanks for being there to support me during this ceremony, Lawrence. Seeing my family in the stands was important during such a long test of will. I’m glad to see my sword is perfectly perpendicular in that photo as we marched past. Though my contribution to our national defence has been a small one, I am proud of all the soldiers I have helped to train and deploy. This parade reminded me of how much in awe I am of so many of my peers.
To your point about youth . . . I would say that, through Canada’a participation in operations in Afghanistan, we have noticed an increase in appreciation of what we do from young people. The sacrifices of the past become more relevant to them when they see Canadians from high school and university deploying to Afghanistan from regiments like the Canadian Scottish.
4,000 Canadians died, from my regiment alone, during the wars of the 20th Century. When you consider that an infantry battalion in the field is at full strength with 800 people, you can appreciate how heavily we in the infantry carry the burden of sacrifice. If we brag a little too much how we have the toughest of jobs, perhaps people can understand why, and forgive us for doing so.
Thank you for your comment Drew. It was a wonderful/powerful day of events and a pleasure to be there in support of your contribution, as well as so many others, and to see the pride and dedication executed by your Regiment. We are all very proud of you, and would consider your contribution and efforts in service of our men and women in uniform, these important institutions, and our Country no small affair – well done…and Thank You.