Remembrance Day is always a time for sombre reflection. But this year, ceremonies across this great country of ours will be even more poignant and, we dare say, could be some of the highest attended ceremonies in recent memory.
We were all saddened, shocked and outraged by recent events in Quebec and Ottawa on Oct. 20 and 22. Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent was killed in a hit-and-run incident in St.-Jean-sur-Richelieu, and then two days later, Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was shot and killed at the National War Memorial when a lone gunman went on a rampage at Parliament Hill.
Both Vincent and Cirillo were serving and honouring their country. They were just doing their jobs and they paid the ultimate price, made the ultimate sacrifice for Canada. They were doing nothing wrong.
Both deaths are senseless and wrong for so many reasons — reasons we can’t go into in detail here, as the space just does not do either situation justice. Suffice to say we will be joining everyone across the country and here on the Sunshine Coast this Tuesday as we pay tribute to these two fallen soldiers and the hundreds of thousands of other past and present soldiers and veterans who have served this country.
And while we are thanking our veterans, remember what they fought for and what they stand for — our freedom, our basic rights, our democracy.
Following Remembrance Day, on Nov. 15, voters across this province will head to the polls for our municipal election.
For the past few weeks we have been pounding the message home on how important it is to vote. And what better way to remember to vote and how privileged we are to have that right than getting that chance to exercise that vote four days after Remembrance Day?
Sechelt Legion member, past president and veteran Terry Powell penned a short but poignant letter to the editor this week, which you can read on page 9.
He spelled it out — how important voting is and what veterans did to give us this amazing opportunity that so many people in countries around the world don’t have.
So, wear your poppy with pride on Tuesday. Attend any of the ceremonies being held in Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt and Pender Harbour. Remember and thank our veterans, and then pay them the ultimate respect by heading to the polls next Saturday and exercising your democratic right to vote.
Lest we forget how fortunate we truly are.
