"Canadian Projects and Ongoing Conflicts Ensure We Won't Forget"

November 12, 2003

One of the footnotes I found most striking this Remembrance Day as Canadians reflected upon the lives lost in the pursuit of freedom and peace, was that out of the 650,000 Canadian soldiers who went to fight in World War I, there are just 10 still alive. 

Ten.  It’s not as though I didn’t realize that their numbers were dwindling with each passing year, after all the Great War ended 85 years ago.  However, it serves as a stark reminder that the living records of that war will soon be gone.  The remaining vets are now aged between 102 and 107 and I was pleased to note that efforts are being made to preserve their memories … memories that should never be forgotten. 

In fact, this Remembrance Day should serve to alleviate the fear held by many Canadians that younger generations are forgetting or will forget the importance of remembering the sacrifices made and the lessons learned in the fight for peace.  Endeavours to establish a permanent record of war and to honour our fallen soldiers have taken some new and encouraging turns. 

Take the Memory Project organized by the Dominion Institute.  In this campaign to collect Canadian artifacts from World War I, more than a thousand Canadians have sent 2,800 photographs, letters, diaries and other important wartime reminders found in attics, basements and garages across the country.

And in an initiative that integrates modern technology with the past, a private Canadian project called the Maple Leaf Legacy is seeking to photograph or obtain a photograph of every Canadian war grave of the 20th Century, everywhere in the world.  These photos will be made freely available on the project's web site www.mapleleaflegacy.ca.  The friends and relatives of Canada’s war dead, most whom will never be able to visit the graves of our fallen soldiers, can visit this virtual war memorial instead.  The project’s ambitious objective is to obtain 115,000 photos by the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I. 

Such efforts inspire hope that Canadians will truly never forget.  Unfortunately, there continues to be very clear and present tragedies that serve to remind us of the sacrifices made for peace. 

It was undoubtedly an extremely difficult Remembrance Day for the families and comrades of Sgt. Robert Short and Cpl. Robbie Beerengenger.  Their deaths in a landmine explosion in Afghanistan early last month were still very fresh in the minds of all Canadians as they participated in Remembrance Day ceremonies this week. 

This year, I had the honour of attending the ceremonies in Chetwynd.  Legion President, Frank Barron, Pastor Bill Evans and the veterans were buoyed by a very strong turnout of appreciative citizens of all ages.  On the return trip to Fort St. John, I had the privilege of enjoying fine dining and terrific company at the annual Hudson’s Hope Veterans Appreciation Dinner.  

In fact, the enthusiastic participation by all Canadians this Remembrance Day provides assurance that memories and appreciation of the past and present sacrifices by our brave soldiers are alive and well.