We live in a curious time; an age when freedom of speech has never been so available, yet so squandered.
For the most part our readership has a fairly comfortable existence. Some people live the life of kings of centuries past. Food and drink, home and security are givens. We really want for nothing.
The state of our democracy and that of the free world, still rests on the sacrifices made by veterans in two World Wars and other conflicts since then.
Young men, some young teenagers even, struck off overseas to battle an undemocratic phenomenon that swept across Europe and elsewhere. As a function of the times women mostly served in the capacity of caregiver, witnessing the ravage of the battlefield, treating, nursing and comforting soldiers.
Those who served and managed to get home were arguably never the same as when they left. Too much they had seen, heard, smelled and touched. No senses were left unscarred. Once home, many veterans enrolled in their local Legion to pay homage to fallen comrades.
Looking at the state of local Legions and the absence of volunteers lining up to accept the call of duty, we really question the commitment of able-bodied people today. As Legion volunteers pass on or move away, we wonder who will fill those roles, along with other community functions that previous generations took on as part of their civic duties.
It’s hard to imagine what would happen today should the call to serve one’s country be made. Would people today even know what was at stake, having lived in peaceful times for generations? Would young people be too busy to enrol or might parents be too fearful that a loss could well result? Granted, the nature of war has changed, but the question lingers whether we are as patriotic as previous generations were.
This is why we owe it to veterans and our young people to ensure they understand the cost of war and the value of freedom. Remembrance Day ceremonies certainly help in that education; understanding the significance of the poppy and why we honour the war dead. It’s not that we cherish war, but rather, treasure the freedom that veterans made available to us.
If we had one hope coming out of this years’ service it would be that humankind would take the extra step of thinking before speaking and before taking action people give thoughtful consideration to the possible outcome. We should not waste the precious gift of freedom that veterans gave us.
Please be sure to honour them.
