Not being in the mood this year to stand in the rain with about marching cadets, and be lectured by some blowhard about how indispensable the Battle of Vimmy Ridge was to my current freedom to scarf down two hundred flavours of potato chip, I stayed in a did my own Remembrance Day reflections this year.
It occurred to me that there are Canadians fighting for freedom right NOW, as we speak, or binge on Amazon Prime as it may be, battling the Russians in Ukraine. At least 12 have died.
They are:
Jean Francois Ratelle
Alain Derasp
Cole Zelenco
Kyle Porter
Joseph Hildebrand
Emile Antoine Sirois
Grigorii Tsekhmistrenko
Anthony "Tonko" Ihnat
Joshua Mark Mayers
Austin Lathlin-Bercier
Brad Stratford
They weren't forced to go over by any government draft. They were under no pressure from their society. They went entirely as a matter of principle, feeling deep down this was a cause worth fighting. They went willingly, knowing the risks. Knowing they'd be without the backing of their state, without all the air support and technological superiority that entails. Or even the acknowledgement they've done it.
There days, there aren't many willing to put their lives on the line for matters of principle. Nowadays, it seems most folk wouldn't even pay ten cents extra on their gas-bill to help Ukraine, let alone fight for it. Those who do, and did - who are actually doing what we claim to be honouring - deserve to be remembered.
On this of all days.
There days, there aren't many willing to put their lives on the line for matters of principle. Nowadays, it seems most folk wouldn't even pay ten cents extra on their gas-bill to help Ukraine, let alone fight for it. Those who do, and did - who are actually doing what we claim to be honouring - deserve to be remembered.
On this of all days.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
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