The First and Second World Wars are often the main focus of each Remembrance Day.
The two global wars had a profound and indelible mark on Canada’s history.
They helped shift Canada from its status of a small colony not far removed from being under French and British rule to its post-Confederation growth and eventual continued independence with the Statute of Westminster of 1931 and the Patriation of the Constitution in 1982.
The two wars, and Canada’s involvement, were key moments in developing an independent nation.
Throughout Canada’s history, its military role – particularly in the 20th Century – saw it continue to be involved in numerous combat and peacekeeping missions.
Since the end of the Second World War, Canadian military personnel have been involved in more than 70 international missions on six continents and dozens of countries.
Though the large-scale battles of the First and Second World Wars will always be a dominant theme when it comes to Remembrance Day, the act of remembrance of veterans should be more than what took place between 1914-18 and 1939-45.
Locally, the Banff and Canmore legions have taken steps to advance remembrance to the greater public.
During the summer, the Banff Legion unveiled a new cenotaph to commemorate veterans of the Korean War and the Battle of Gapyeong from April 23-25, 1951.
Earlier this month, the Canmore Legion added recognition for those who served in the 1990-91 Persian Gulf War, Canada’s involvement in the Afghanistan War from 2001-14 and various NATO missions since it was a founding member in 1949.
These are all historic moments – all remembered differently – in the Canadian mindset of communities nationwide.
But as the type of conflict Canadians are involved in changes, the act of remembrance will also evolve. The larger campaigns and battles such as the Somme, the Normandy Campaign and Passchendaele are distant memories.
The newer conflicts are often taking place following soldier’s service.
While battlefield and peacekeeping missions are typically what’s thought of most when remembering, the dark secret of veteran suicide it often out of sight and out of mind.
The continued failure of successive federal governments – regardless of being Conservative or Liberal – has largely turned a blind eye to the growing issue of veteran suicide, particularly following Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan.
Since Canada withdrew from Afghanistan in 2014, where 158 Canadian Armed Forces personnel and seven civilians were killed, studies have shown significantly many more have taken their own lives.
A 2022 Canadain Armed Forces study showed at least 242 male and 21 female Canadain Armed Forces active regular force personnel suicided from 2002-21. A 2019 study from Veterans Affairs Canada showed 593 male veterans from 2003-14 and 32 female veterans from 2003-12 suicided.
In addition, veterans are far more likely to experience higher rates of depression, anxiety and substance use disorder than the civilian population. A McGill University study in 2023 found veterans are also two to three more likely to experience homelessness than the general population.
As Remembrance Day takes place each year, it’s vital for Canadians to not only reflect and contemplate past wars but also seek solutions for those who have invisible wounds that come from their military service.
Remembrance shouldn’t only be looking back and thinking solemnly, but also looking forward and applying lessons learned.
Without specific action, it’s not unlikely the next addition to cenotaphs won’t be an overseas conflict or peacekeeping but highlighting failures to protect and help veterans with mental health issues.
