Veterans Week 2021 – CAF speakers delivering a message specific for youths in grade 3 to 6
Video / October 22, 2021
Transcript
What does remembering our veterans mean to you?
Maybe you think about wars—like the big ones Canada fought in in the past.
Maybe you think about people.
People who fought in those wars.
Or the loved ones who worried about them.
Maybe you think about people in your own lives who have served in our military, or who are serving today.
For me, remembering our veterans means remembering their stories.
And sharing them with others, so they can be inspired by them too.
I’m a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.
That means I’m responsible for keeping other people safe—other Canadians, and our friends across the globe when they’re in danger.
Canadian Armed Forces members like me help out in our communities after floods, fires, or ice storms—we’ve been helping people during the pandemic too.
We help train militaries in other countries so they can protect their citizens.
And, when we need to, we fight in wars.
It’s a difficult job.
Some Canadian Armed Forces members get seriously injured in the line of duty.
Some never come home.
But what keeps me going is knowing that I’m making a difference…and knowing that I’m part of a proud tradition with the military members who came before me.
I want to tell you some stories about them today.
Stories that inspire me to be a better member of the military.
A better Canadian.
A better person.
I want you to imagine that it’s 1916—over 100 years ago.
You’ve left your home in Canada to fight in the trenches in France.
The trenches are muddy and cramped.
There’s enemy gunfire overhead.
You’re far from your friends, your loved ones, your home.
It’s a scary time.
You’re one of the Canadians fighting in the battle of the Somme—one of the major battles of the First World War…
A war that lasted for four long years.
Now it’s 1945—right at the end of the Second World War.
You’re a pilot flying a fighter plane.
Your plane is hit, but you manage to escape—only to land in enemy territory.
You run and hide…and after a difficult few days you’re lucky to be rescued by your friends.
This is the story of Squadron Leader Hart Finlay. He survived the war and came home.
Many more did not.
These stories, and the thousands of other ones that make up Canada’s military history, are stories of bravery, dedication and sacrifice.
They also tell us about the terrible cost of war.
Over 100,000 Canadians died in both world wars.
Many more were seriously injured or struggled with their mental health when they came home.
It’s so important that we remember everything they did.
But it’s also important for us to think about those who weren’t allowed to serve equally…
In the early years of the First World War many Black Canadians weren’t allowed into Canada’s military because of the colour of their skin.
They refused to take “no” for an answer, and in 1916, they were finally allowed to serve as part of a non-fighting unit called the Number 2 Construction Battalion.
The unit was made up entirely of Black Canadians determined to serve their country.
But when they returned home, people didn’t thank them properly for what they did.
It’s taken a long time for people to recognize how important their work was.
As we think about everyone who has served our country, and fought for our freedom, it’s important that we think about the uncomfortable parts of our history.
We have to think about these parts of this history, our history so we don’t repeat them.
Canada’s military history didn’t stop in 1916.
Many years later, we were fighting in a conflict called the Korean War.
One of the Army’s proudest moments happened 70 years ago, during that war.
Roughly 700 Canadians faced off against 5,000 enemy soldiers during the battle of Kapyong. And they won.
While that battle took place on land, Canadians in Korea also served in the air and over the seas.
One of these brave Canadians, a sailor named Don Jatiouk, was a radar operator onboard HMCS Nootka.
One night, he noticed a blip on his radar—a blip that showed that an enemy ship was laying mines nearby.
He warned his Captain to adjust course, helping save many people’s lives and later, helping to capture the ship.
Only a few years later, there was a crisis over the Suez Canal in the Middle East. Canada helped out by being part of one of the first United Nations Peacekeeping missions.
Even now, although Canada isn’t fighting in any wars, our military members are still helping people in need.
We help out here at home when Canadians are struggling.
And we help out our allies overseas to keep them safe too.
There are thousands of stories about Canada’s military.
Stories that tell us about our country, and about the people who serve.
Some of these stories are sad.
But they are such an important part of our history.
So today—and whenever you can—I want you to take some time to remember these stories.
And remember the people behind them, who have given so much for us.
If you know anyone who is a veteran, or who is still serving, make sure to say thank you.
Honour them, and others who came before.
By wearing the poppy…
By participating in Remembrance Day or Veteran’s Week activities, and by taking the time to learn more.
Lest we forget.
Thank you.