Lest We Forget

In the 11th month, on the 11th day, at the 11th hour, 1918, the guns fell silent. Each year we remember, and honour, those that have served and are serving still.

I have been inspired to blog this day from three primary sources: Natasha who posted about a world famous poem, Sam who wrote a (fast becoming) locally famous poem, and Jen who posted about a veteran she remembered.

Jen's in particular got me to thinking the most because she asked "Who do you remember?" So I'm going to tell you about those I remember most today.

My grandfather, Richard O. Chadwick (my namesake). Served in the Royal Ordinance Corps 1939-1946.

My other grandfather, Harold H. Robinson, served in Royal Artillery and Military Police thoughout Europe and North Africa 1939-1945.

My uncle, William Daugherty, served 26 years in the United States Marine Corps. Retiring in the 1980's healthy in mind and body.

My uncle Douglas Berry, served in the Royal Canadian Navy for a time during the cold war. Also left the service healthy in mind and body.

No soldier starts a war, no soldier wants a war. All of the conflicts over the past century have been started by politicians who send their soldiers to enforce a political stance. Yet with few exceptions it is the soldier who faces public opinion.

It makes no difference if you support the reasons soldiers are sent into harms way, we should all always support the men and women who are sent into harms way. These are men and women who decided that they wanted to serve something greater than themselves. These are men and women who believed so strongly in a free way of life that they decided to pick up a rifle and stand a post.

In case of today, we remember those from the first and second world wars in particular. Even though there was a draft to make men fight, most volunteered. These were men who heard their country's call to arms and stepped forward. Their memory is sacred, their sacrifice even more so. Even those that didn't believe in fighting signed up because when the weak are being exterminated, someone has to stand up and stop it. Even pacifists signed up. Many front line medics were pacifists because medics are not required to carry firearms.

What does the bible say on the topic? I don't know, but it is interesting to note that one of the few Hamiltonians awarded the Victoria Cross (the highest award for bravery) in World War II was an army chaplain in the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry; LCol John Weir Foote, VC, CD. The armoury on James St. N. is named for him.

While I personally would never support war, I will always support and honour the men an women of the Armed Forces. I will leave you with th following thoughts that I first came across in my days as an army cadet. The author is unknown.

It is the soldier, not the poet, who gives us freedom of speech;
It is the soldier, not the politician, who gives us freedom of assembly;
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who gives us freedom of the press;
It is the soldier, not the clergy, who gives us freedom of religion.

It is the soldier who salutes the flag, serves under the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag who allows the citizen to burn that flag in protest.

Never forget.

Be well all.