My remarks at Killam Legion Remembrance Day Banquet 2014 -
This year – 2014 – is a year of milestones &
celebration for Canada.
This year marks the centennial of the start of World War I, which ended on this day in 1918.
620,000 of our citizens enlisted, and 67,000 were killed. Some have said this was Canada’s defining
moment as a nation. We all know
something about the Battles at Vimy & Passchendale.
As well, 2014 marks 100 years since for formation of
Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry – The PPCLI – whose iconic symbol,
the Regimental colours “The Ric-A-Dam-Doo” was said to have been sewn by
Princess Patricia herself. PPCLI was the
first Canadian Infantry Unit to enter the Theatre of Operations.
On September 10, 1939 – just over 75 years ago – Canada
entered the 2nd World War. By
war’s end, over 1 Million of our citizens had enlisted. Dieppe & the Battle of Normandy are just two of several major conflicts in which Canada was involved,
These and other events are all proud moments in Canadian
history, and all important to remember. The milestones I speak of, unfortunately, are clouded by
recent events in our own backyard.
The killing of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent in Quebec,
coupled with the shooting death of Corporal Nathan Cirillo on the steps of the
War Memorial in Ottawa and subsequent attack on Parliament Hill serve as a
reminder that violence & terror can happen anywhere. “The front” is no longer “over there”; the
front is no longer definable.
As Canadians we should be and are outraged by these
acts. But as Canadians we also need to
remind ourselves to carry on with living in a free society.
The day following the Parliament Hill incident the House
of Commons re-convened, showing by example our resilience as a nation.
We all need to follow this example every day
in our communities, with our friends and neighbours – celebrating our successes
& milestones, and helping each other through grief & heartache. Many of our fellow Canadians, past &
present, have fought for this very right.
We owe them, and ourselves, nothing less.
I want to thank the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #65, its
members & friends, for being such an important part of our community and
for helping us all to remember.
Thank you.
Bud James