November 1998
Remembrance ; Lest We Forget!
The military, political, economic and social beachheads , that have been won by those who have gone before, must not be lost. If we break faith with those who have dedicated their lives to the improvement of the human condition, they will not rest.
Each year as Remembrance Day approaches, we are reminded of all those who fought, and those who lost their lives, in the last two world wars. We remember those dead and wounded from the Korean conflict and those who have served in the United Nations peace keeping operations. Wars to end all wars, Wars to make the world safe for democracy, or just simply for love of country, include many and varied underlying, and sometimes less worthy, causes. It is sobering to remember three of the most common tragedies of war:
- God is claimed to be on both sides.
- Truth is the first casualty, and
- Patriotism becomes the last refuge of a scoundrel -- one who is willing to give up your life for his country.
Some wars have been fought for imperial conquest and power, others have been characterized as holy wars. Some were fought to preserve life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, others were fought for the spread of Liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Still others were fought to improve the social, economic and political conditions on the home front. Whether these soldiers died on the battlefield or dedicated their lives to the improvement of the living conditions in our society, they are all heroes and deserve to be remembered.
Every period of history is characterized by the living conditions and the challenges of the time. In the middle ages life was cheap and if you were not of the nobility, downright miserable.
In Canada, our grandparents opened up the west and carved out a place for themselves and their families. Life was tough and many of the services which we take for granted today, were non existent then.
Times and conditions have changed and in many ways life is much improved. We now have better living and working conditions and safer work places. We have improved educational and health services. Our society has, on occasion, assumed greater responsibilities for the poor, the handicapped and the elderly.
Over the years, we have seen an increasing role for governments. Canadians today can play a much more active part in the running of their communities and their country. We have had to fight wars and political battles to secure the way of life which we now enjoy.
The leaders of the suffragette movement are among the ranks of our many unsung heroes. Their courageous battle to win the right for women to vote was one of the single most important gains of this century.
While we give thanks for what we have gained, we must realize that we do not all share equally in the good life. There are many among us who are in poverty, hunger and poor living conditions. Those who are in greatest need are often least able to speak out, or fend for themselves.
It is important, that we do everything in our power to see that those in greatest need, receive the basic essentials of a good life. We must guard against the temptation to stereotype those less fortunate, as being lazy and the cause of their own misfortunes.
It is important to remember that the hard won gains which we have made, can easily be lost if we do not maintain eternal vigilance. Above all, while appreciating what we have, we must guard
against those who would turn back the clock. We owe our best efforts to maintain and improve on the gains which our forefathers fought for and won.
To gain an historical perspective, we should not be too taken up with the prophets of doom and gloom nor should we have so much stardust in our eye that we are unable to appreciate the realities of what is going on.
The military, political, economic and social beachheads, that have been won by those who have gone before, must not be lost.
It has been said that, Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. Power is ever stealing from the many to the few.
If we break faith with those who have dedicated their lives to the improvement of the human condition, they will not rest.
The struggle to build a civilized society only begins, it never ends.
Above all we must be on guard to avoid the ugly specter of the somewhat cynical, yet sobering, old soldier's lament:
The rights of man are a by-word;
The bones are not yet dust,
Of those who broke the shackles;
And the shackles are not yet rust,
Till our masters are forging new ones,
And coward lips are sealed
While the code that cost a million lives
Is step by step repealed.
Editorial