Freedom Is What Our Veterans Fought For

Freedom is what our veterans fought for. The American election reminded us, that in a democracy, we have the right to vote and choose our own leaders. Whether we like the results or not, it’s an example of democracy in action. Some didn’t like who came out on top, and following the election, there were a number of cities in the USA with protests. Protest is another right that democratic nations give to their citizens.

Remembrance Day

Nov. 11th is Remembrance Day in Canada and others in the Commonwealth. It’s the day we honor our veterans and those we lost. I watched a video on CBC of one Silver Cross mother, who honors her son, who lost his life in Afghanistan.

I had three uncles from my father’s side in the war. They came from a poor family. War was adventure, a steady pay check, and a call of duty. One uncle was in the air force, two in the army. My dad wanted to go, but his brothers told him that the forces had enough of their family and that besides, he was needed at home, because his wife was pregnant with me.

The uncles all came home in one physical piece, but were forever scarred by what they’d seen. My uncle George, who saw action in Italy, had nightmares every night for the rest of his life. Back then, you didn’t dare talk about your fears or the trauma you’d experienced. Veterans kept silent about the horrors they had faced. But oh, how they suffered for it.

Veterans Memorials On The National Mall

Korean War Veterans Memorial

And again, given the recent American election, it seems fitting to tell you about our visit several years ago to the National Mall, in Washington, D.C., an almost two mile long public space incorporating a reflecting pool and major war monuments. To stand there and look down that mall—the Capital at one end, the Lincoln monument at the other—is an unbelievable experience. The magnificence of the design in that open space underlines the strength and beauty of America.

World War II Memorial

The war monuments are of such grandeur that you can’t walk by them without thinking of the human tragedy of war. Lives lost and spirits crushed. Dreams dashed. Families broken. It’s stunning to read how many tens of thousands have died for their country.

Unfortunately, it’s a universal story. Every country has lost sons and daughters to war.

We first stopped at the relatively new World War II Memorial. What’s striking about it are the bronze reliefs on it, depicting scenes from that time.

One of the bronze scenes at the WWII memorial

As I mentioned above, I had three uncles in that war. They were from a small town in Manitoba; The Korean War Veterans Memorial commemorates another one where Canadians,  Americans, and their allies fought side by side.

The Korean war was another war that grabbed its young, and those who made it back were older before their time.

They Come to Honor The Fallen

The last one we visited was the Vietnam War Memorial. A massive dark stone wall with the names of Americans who didn’t return.

Canadians didn’t fight in Vietnam, but we know the story. The sacrifices and the madness of that war played out daily on our TV screens in the 60s and early 70s.

Bronze Soldiers look on the Vietnam Memorial

The Vietnam memorial touched my husband and I the most. Partly because it was the first one in our lifetime with no easy answers. And partly, because there are still plenty of survivors and family members who visit and pay their respects.

There, we witnessed a father looking for his son’s name on the stone.

A volunteer tries to ease the pain.

We  saw a former soldier cry when a volunteer made a rubbing of his friend’s name, or maybe it was his brother’s, and a man shake with sorrow as he ran his fingers over the engraved letters.

We didn’t lose anyone in this war, but just seeing all the dead listed and the tears around us,  I couldn’t help but feel some of the pain of those who did.

Freedom Is Not Free

At the end of the day, I was left with this thought, etched on a stone near the Korean Veterans Memorial.

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE

With the insanity of the recent American election campaign over, I am hoping that those in charge can bring the wonderful citizens of America together. That any major policy decisions will embrace rather than divide its people. Because America is the most powerful nation on earth, the eyes of the world will be on it. I do believe in what Hillary said, we are stronger together. And that includes all of us who are not American.

Any COMMENTS are welcome.

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