Remembrance Day is an occasion when the women and men at 19 Wing Comox are again grateful to stand beside the members of our local community to honour the sacrifice of those who fought and died in the name of peace.
The COVID pandemic has changed the way in which we gather but not the importance of this event.
Remembrance is a foundation of military service, a solemn pledge to remember our fallen. Canadian Veterans Week runs the week leading up to 11 November and 8 November is designated Indigenous Veterans Day.
For this Remembrance Day, I am reminded of Canadian efforts and sacrifice in Afghanistan. Although our combat mission there finished ten years ago, the rapid fall of the elected Afghan government has brought much attention back. The loss of 158 of our Canadian Armed Forces members, the many civilians and the Coalition partners, is bitter but it was not in vain. They made a difference and Afghanistan was changed over the course of the Canadian contribution. To gain more information on all of the Remembrance activities I encourage you to visit the websites for Veterans Affairs Canada, the Royal Canadian Legion, the Canadian War Museum and others that you may know of.
I take this opportunity to thank my fellow members of 19 Wing and our neighbours in the Comox Valley community for remembering the sacrifice of all our veterans and our veteran’s families. To those who came before us and to those still serving today, remember, honour and pay tribute.