During this day we take time to remember the fallen during the Great War (WWI), the Second World War, Korea, Afghanistan and peacekeeping missions throughout the world.
Nestled in the middle of Stanley Park is a forgotten monument to the 190 Japanese-Canadian volunteers who joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force during WWI and the 54 names enscribed on that monument who lost their lives. Little known, during the mass hysteria against the Japanese-Canadians during WWII, are two Japanese-Canadian soldiers who fell while fighting along-side their European-Canadian and Chinese-Canadian brethren.
The men who volunteered to serve in WWII served to demonstrate their loyalty to Canada while their families were locked up in tar paper shacks in places like Tashme, Slocan, Kaslo and other places less hospitable.
So let us not forget...
A Pittance Of Time
Let us also not forget the men and women of our Armed Forces who serve each and every day, and who served in those turbulent times, who fought and died so that we can express our opinions.
My father-in-law served in Burma for the U.S. Army. And some of my extended family on my wife's side are U.S. Second World War veterans. My thanks goes to them for the freedoms we share today.
Terry Kelly wrote a song "A Pittance of Time" after he saw a man and his daughter in a Nova Scotia drugstore. The man refused to observe a two-minute silence that the drugstore had asked customers who would be in the store during 11:00AM to observe in remembrance of those who had served. Terry was angered to see the man being such an "ass" but observed the two minutes of silence rather than making a scene but his anger translated into the creation of this beautiful song.
Always remember, never surrender.
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