The world needs change – Chaplain

Once again, the crowd overflowed into the streets Nov. 11 as the Royal Canadian Legion Mersey Branch #38 Colour Parade, veterans and present Canadian military personnel in addition to the RCMP, 545 Squadron Air Cadet members, and the Mersey Band marched into the Astor Theatre.

Legion member, William Cox reminded the crowd that no World War I veterans are alive today to take part in the ceremony but pointed out the World War II veterans in attendance. He added this is a “special day” for current military personnel “as they remember their comrades serving throughout the world.”

Afghanistan and peacekeeping operations around the globe were as much apart of the ceremony as remembering the sacrifices made during World War I, World War II and the Korean Conflict.

Chaplain Donald J. Lawton, of the Trinity Anglican Parish, was guest speaker. He said many stories are told of war, some of which are humourous.

However, he said, “Sometimes when we listen closely, we hear the silence of the things that can’t be spoken.”

He said the deaths of friends on the battlefield and the trauma of war in general are often “too painful to talk about.

“To the veterans I say it is not necessary for you to share these memories with us. We honour you as you experience them. To the rest of us … our duty is to remember and to honour.”

He said World War I was supposed to be the war to end all wars, as was World War II. However, he said mankind has been faced with “continuous eruptions” of war and conflict since those promises were made.

He listed numerous conflicts over the decades, ending with the “fear” that led to the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. He prayed for leadership so ”we may find a way out of this cycle.”

He praised the legion organization for supporting veterans but criticized the lack of support from the government in recent years for Canada’s failure to adequately support today’s returning troops.

He said, for example, some families have been burdened with large funeral bills despite the fact these soldiers are serving their country.

“They should be looked after properly. It is not enough to simply remember those who were killed,” he said in addition to those that suffer physical, emotion and psychological trauma.

In the meantime, he said, “The least we can do is wear a poppy. The most we can do is work to change the world. Amen.”

The crowd broke out into applause.