It’s difficult to imagine, let alone understand.
But we must remember them.
There are no Canadians alive to tell us what it was really like in the muddy trenches of France during the First World War. We can only read and view old photographs of the horrors in places like the Somme or Passchendaele or Vimy Ridge.
On the Easter weekend of 1917, at Vimy Ridge, 3,800 Canadians died and 7,000 were wounded. It has been said it was that battle that differentiated Canadians from the British forever more, the weekend we became our own, unique country.
What a cost.
There are very few Canadians alive to tell us what it was really like on the beaches of Normandy, with your buddies dropping dead into the ocean and sand beside you.
On June 6, 1944 it was the job of Canadians to capture Juno Beach, one of four D-Day landing spots. The Canadians landed last, but by the end of the day they were ahead of the U.S. and British forces that landed on the other beaches.
Many Canadians were lost, including at least 600 who drowned.
While those two wars are best known, Canadian soldiers have been in harm’s way in many other conflicts: Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan to list a few.
We must remember them all.
War is hell. That stated, what would have happened if the brave men and women of this country and other free, democratic societies didn’t stand up to history’s bullies? What does the alternative universe with the Nazis in charge look like? We shudder when we consider that notion.
A special section we present today tells some of the stories from a few of the people who were there, including Parksville’s Dick Bailey, part of that Juno Beach landing on June 6, 1944. And Qualicum Bay’s Reg Whynott, who won medals in Korea. And Nanoose Bay’s Len Peterson, a Legion member for 50 years. And Walter Barnum of Coombs, who fought in Italy during the Second World War.
What’s even more special, and important, are the Remembrance Day ceremonies on Friday in Bowser, Parksville and Qualicum Beach. We hope to see you there.
Lest We Forget.
— Editorial by John Harding
