Nov. 11, area residents will take part in ceremonies and special services throughout the county to honour fallen heroes and surviving veterans of the First and Second World and Korea wars and those conflicts that continue.

Each year, fewer Second World War veterans are present at Remembrance Day services, while obituaries featuring the Canadian flag remind us our war vets are rapidly fading with age.

Most veterans are at least 80-plus, and many are now well into their 90's. Many young men fibbed their age and enlisted at 16, and in some cases even younger. Often these determined youngsters were 'found out' and sent home until they were old enough to join.

Hants County had an extraordinarily high volunteer ratio and those who could not join the military did what they could on the home front for the war effort. These are the forgotten members of society who also struggled to ensure future generations could live without the threat of tyranny.

There has always been solid support at the Remembrance Day ceremony held at Victoria Park in Windsor. But every year, the number of elderly people diminishes as time marches on. The support from the Windsor Legion Branch #9 is stunning. There are so many people who work to keep society aware of the importance of remembering fallen comrades, the surviving military personnel, and the lesson the wars taught us.

Far too common was the plight returning soldiers faced after 1945. These brave souls fought to preserve our freedom enduring conditions that today, would be seen as inhumane. Canadian military members were not treated very well in general. Food was poor, conditions were deplorable and there was certainly no Tim Hortons coffee. And few ever complained.

Alcohol became a vestige of solace for many returning soldiers, undoubtedly suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome, which had yet to be identified. In most cases there was never a thought given to “debriefing” which again is commonplace today. No big pension lay ahead for war survivors, they went back to work at any job they could get to support their families.

The Canadian government only recently recognized the tremendous efforts of the often-forgotten merchant mariners and their integral role during the last world war. These brave sailors experienced no special coming home party for them, no 'hero' status and certainly no pension. If the merchantmen had not kept the shipping lanes full of crucial supplies and troops for six long years the Allied commitment, the war may well have had a much different outcome.

The Gurkhas were finally recognized by the British government only last year for their vast contributions to the outcome of the war. Sadly, only a small handful of the 'world's best fighters' were left to receive anything and far too many lived in poverty and squalor for the rest of their days after the war – forgotten heroes.

The only hope to keep the efforts of the military alive lies with our young people. Without striving to learn and remember why so many of Canada's best and brightest left for overseas never to return, a part of our heritage is lost while the possibility of war re-occurring increases.

This year we urge you to visit a memorial service in your area and lend your support to the men and women in uniform.

Your presence will let them know you care.