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The Pastoral Lens
We Will Remember Them!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
I was standing at the front of the church this past Sunday during our annual Remembrance service, holding the Christian flag, alongside those holding the Canadian and Ontario flags. AS I looked out over the congregation singing “Oh, Canada!” I began to ponder what it might have been like to serve our country in one of the wars. We have a number of veterans in our church, one of whom was part of the D-Day landing at the beaches of Normandy in World War 2. I feel as if I am with celebrities when I am around these people.War is something that has come back to the forefront of our minds, thanks to the Canadian participation in the conflict in Afghanistan, and the U.S. involvement in Iraq. When I was growing up, Canada’s role was peacekeeping, which it continues to maintain today. These faithful veterans are some of the unsung heroes of our nation, representing our country well as ambassadors abroad. Nevertheless, with troops being deployed regularly these days to Afghanistan, now school-age children are more aware of Canada’s freedom and the effort being made to preserve it.
I was so pleased to hear of Wallaceburg District Secondary School and their desire to have a special service at the cenotaph on Nov.9 to honour veterans of the Korean War, a war that does not get much attention. Under the careful and dedicated organization of Chris Drew, a teacher at WDSS, the ceremony was a tremendous success. A very large crowd gathered to pay tribute. I spoke with a WWII vet later in the day at the grocery store and he was so pleased that there were so many young people present. I think for veterans, this is an important concept, that the remembrance of the fallen in the various wars is perpetuated to the next generation and beyond. As the son of a WWII veteran, and grandson of a WWI veteran, I couldn’t agree more!
Nobody likes war, but the fact of the matter is war is happening and we can’t make it go away. For all those out there who disagree about our country’s involvement in Afghanistan, could we consider how we might be supportive? You can’t change what’s happening, so support those who are risking their lives for the cause of helping others in a nation that does not share the same great privileges that we have here. When I met Errol and Elaine Cushley a few years ago, they were not mad that our country was involved in Afghanistan, even though their precious son, William, was killed while serving there. Instead, they were proud of their son for daring to go and serve his country. Pte. William Cushley served his country with exactly that same conviction.
As we observe Remembrance Day again this year, let's take just a little bit of time to give thanks to the Lord for the wonderful gift of freedom that we enjoy in this country. Let’s also thank a vet for helping to make that happen. A heart of gratitude to God and soldier is one way that will help us to remember them.
