To serve is to sacrifice, to serve is to put the needs of others before your own. On Nov. 11, I would like to encourage us all to remember the veterans who put the needs of this country before their own – who left their families in order to defend and protect the values of this country on foreign soil.
Tomorrow marks Remembrance Day – a holiday designated for Canadians to remember and commemorate the contributions of those who served during the First World War (WWI), Second World War (WWII), and the Korean War.
Manitoba has many notable war heroes, such as Tommy Prince who received many accolades for his bravery and tact in the war zone. Tommy was an Indigenous Canadian who fought in WWII and in the Korean War. He served as part of the Canadian Parachute Battalion, the 1st Canadian Special Service Battalion, and later was part of an American unit called the 1st Special Service Force (1st SSF).
Tommy was acknowledged as on one of our heroes last year under the Hometown Heroes program run by Parks Canada. His accomplishments are still celebrated today – a school and some streets in Manitoba and Alberta have been named after him.
Although they weren’t allowed to fight, women still played an important role in the war effort. They worked as mechanics, parachute riggers, wireless operators, clerks, nurses, and more. Canadian military nurses known as “Nursing Sisters” were known to be diligent, sacrificial, and hardworking.
Let’s remember that Canada’s veterans served on and off the battlefield. Many veterans chose to make the incredibly difficult decision to leave their families behind to serve in the war, with many of them not returning home.
Knowing the sacrifices our veterans made and the horrors they witnessed, the best way we can honour our veterans and their memories is by being actively anti-war. Let us continue to promote peace in the world.
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Remembrance Day commemorations will not be held in person this year. Instead, I encourage everyone to tune into the virtual ceremony which will be broadcast live on the Thompson Legion #244 Facebook Page as well as on YouTube and later on Shaw channel 11.
Feel free to contact me with any concerns at Danielle.adams@leg.gov.mb.ca or by calling me at 204-677-2744.
