Canada Remembers

In the Beginning, Pte George R Carver

*  It is the 100 year anniversary of the Canadian Red Cross. *

All month, it is my hope and intention to bring to you each day another glimpse into the Canadian History of War since WW1.  With some links to great sites and my dad's research and collections of Gas Masks and Army Vehicles, I hope you will find it interesting and educational & most of all, a time to reflect and remember those who've gone before us.  This is my introduction to this month's blogs.

Although war has touched every country probably since the dawn of time - it is a relatively new approach, to try to learn from our mistakes and not repeat History or re-write it.  'Lest We Forget' those who died on the battlefields.  Since the Great War, World War 1 which began in 1914,  "Lest We Forget" taken from Rudyard Kipling's poem "Recessional" written in 1897 for Queen Victoria, became the line of Remembrance.  Is this when we began to Remember?

I have been very fortunate to have a family that does Remember, and they share their remembrances and the remembrances of those whose family's have passed on.  Whether it be through museums or Remembrance Day displays, we can be sure that at least at one time each year we have the opportunity to remind people and teach people and the generations to come about our history, and how Canada was a part of it.  We will remember not just Canadians but all those who have been affected by War, and sadly the casualty list keeps growing because too many have Forgotten.  So, I'm going to do my part and share what I have learned, share my thoughts and hopefully share my eagerness to learn and try to understand humanity.  In our search to understand the wrath of War, maybe we can end them.  Nice thought, eh?  Well, let's spread the word and at least begin to Remember, and try to learn from our History.

I mentioned above how we must not repeat History, BUT I also mentioned not Re-writing it.  Many people think we have to sugar coat War... as to not offend anyone?!  I don't know why they feel the need to "cover up" the truth.  How can one possibly learn anything or believe anything if it turns out to be fiction?!  War is very real - we all know that.  War kills, people kill - there is always an enemy.  We are all the enemy - because there are always two sides.  Okay.  So, why do people try to hide a symbol, a flag, a name that's from our History?  And here I mean World History.   Some people can't handle the truth.  Well, here it is folks - the truth hurts, but it hurts even more if kept hidden.  Many may say, it's History - forget about it.  Wrong!  Never, ever forget, but remember those who had no choice.  Today, we really do have a choice, are we making the right ones?  I don't think we've learned our lessons, yet.

Pte George Carver, Canadian Scottish
Wilhelmshaven, Germany

I have never fought in a War, neither has my Dad.  But, my Dad is a huge asset to educating people like us about War and it's History.   My Mom's Dad, my Grampa is a Veteran from WW2.  He started out with the Canadian Armoured Corps, then going overseas was transferred to the Seaforth Highlanders and then transferred to the Canadian Scottish Regiment.  My mom was just a young girl and her younger brother thought his Dad was a picture on the wall.  My Grampa survived overseas and came through the war-torn economy and lack of work, food and money with a family to take care of.  Once the War has ended, do we all forget about the pieces that need picking up?  My Gramma and Grampa are still with us today, and that's all I need to do is look at them to Remember.

Brenda Gelean