A Time to Remember, Op-Ed

NOTE: The following in an Op-ed piece by Premier Darrell Dexter, Minister of Military Relations.

On Nov. 11, Nova Scotians will gather in communities across the province to honour those who fought to protect the freedom of their families, communities and country.

We will offer our respects to those who served and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy the free, fair, peaceful and democratic society we live in today.

This Remembrance Day will be different than all the rest. For the first time, there will be no Canadian veteran of the First World War to honour. John Babcock, our last veteran of that war, the war that was the genesis for Remembrance Day, died earlier this year.

A new era has begun. It is an era that puts a new emphasis on remembrance. The flesh and blood links to the two world wars are diminishing. We cannot let their memories fade with them.

We must participate with renewed vigour in Remembrance Day ceremonies to pay tribute to their sacrifices and acknowledge the horrors of war.

I served with the Canadian Navy, but like most Canadians today, I have never experienced wartime.

War is not an abstract concept. Thousands of members of the Canadian Forces are fighting, in places such as Afghanistan, to make a better world.

In particular, I want to recognize the efforts of Nova Scotians Sgt. James MacNeil, petty officer Craig Blake, and Sgt. Kirk Taylor who fought for freedom and paid the ultimate sacrifice fighting in Afghanistan.

Nova Scotians owe it to the families of Mr. MacNeil, Mr. Blake, Mr. Taylor and indeed all veterans and men and women serving in the Canadian Forces to never forget the sacrifices they have made and continue to make, to protect the freedoms we hold near and dear to our heart.

That's why I have vowed to never forget to show my support for the men and women of the Canadian Forces, who have stood on guard and put their lives on the line to protect the values we cherish. This is why it was so welcome that Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh specifically honored veterans during their tour of Halifax this year.

On Remembrance Day, and every day, we must never forget how lucky we are to live and raise our families in the best country, and the best province, in the world.

I encourage all Nova Scotians to take the time this Remembrance Day to remember the sacrifices of so many men and women who made that possible.