Don't forget about our peacekeepers

To the Editor:

On behalf of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping (C.A.V.U.N.P.), I wish to bring to your attention that Thursday, Aug. 9 our veterans, military personnel, police and peace officers will commemorate our National Peacekeepers Day (Journee Nationale des Gardiens de la Paix) across Canada.

National Peacekeepers Day was inaugurated to recognize the service of Canadians past, present and future in the service of peace. This day in Canada is about commemoration; of Canadian peacekeepers and their families; recognition and thanks to those who help make peacekeeping duty less arduous; and remembering our fallen comrades who have made the ultimate sacrifice on the field of honour in the service of peace.

True to the mission of our association, it is our duty to remind everyone of this moral and patriotric obligation to observe with pride our National Peacekeepers Day by a gesture of solidarity with our Canadian peacekeeping veterans, military personnel, police and peace officers.

I invite you to observe this day by a simple private thought, by observing a minute of silence, or by gathering in small groups at an appropriate place to render homage to the 122 Canadian Peacekeepers who have made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in the service of peace in the world as well as for those who are serving at this time amidst danger and strife in far away countries.

In order to ensure a solemn visibility on this commemorative day, you might dress in blue and white, wear the United Nations or NATO insignia, wear your Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal or even display the United Nations flag.

On Aug. 9, if you meet a veteran, a member of the military, a police or peace officer, I invite you to shake their hand and say a simple, “thank you.”

Ron Griffis

National President

CAVUNP