Editor:
An open letter to my fellow parents on Remembrance Day.
We are the fortunate few who live in this beautiful place, but I fear we have forgotten. We have forgotten the sacrifice our grandfathers made to ensure we live with freedom to speak what we think, from violence, and have the opportunity to prosper.
It’s easy to see how the terror of war has been wiped from the memory of stories told to us as children when we are blessed to live in this land of untouched wonder. This land shows no scars of war. Our water runs a clean crystal blue, the landscape free of mortar holes, and our mountain trails are made for leisure. A good example of this is the Via Ferrata in Banff. Do most people know the original purpose of this feat of mountaineering was not intended to give the user a “good view”? It was developed in the Swiss Alps to transport vast numbers of brave young men safely and swiftly through dangerous mountain passes so that they could then fight.
To fight other young men to the death by way of bullets, mortar, poison gas, starvation, disease and the elements. Our grandfathers told us stories of such adventures they had while fighting for their lives and ultimately for the life we all now live.
Today, mothers have no personal memory of sending their husbands, brothers and sons off to never be seen again. It’s sad we have squandered this memory for the sake of protecting our children from the “scaries” of reality. One that is not only happening in much of the world outside of our safe little bubble, but could someday be thrust upon us here at home by our international alleys and leaders.
My daughter came home from school Nov. 6 crying with frustration and hurt after spending the day surrounded by gaggles of little boys chanting the name of a world leader who has, by his omission, stated his clear indifference for our country and the pacts of mutual protection that were made in the past to ensure world peace.
This man does not care about our little boys who are sparkly eyed by his bravado and rage. Do they understand that? Have we told them?
Our children could one day soon be forced to fight for our freedom. Why? Because we have shielded them – and ourselves – from the truth of war and the price of freedom. We have forgotten to hold ourselves accountable and too often spend Nov. 11 on holiday. Too few of us attend the ceremonies held to thank our military for their service and to mourn the loss of lives taken too soon.
This year I will share the responsibility of remembrance with my daughter and I hope that if we don’t forget, history won’t repeat itself. I will stand outside with my daughter in the cold, in silent gratitude for the price that was paid so many years ago. I will not forget.
Joanne Bampton,
Canmore
