These too are the war years

Over the years as thousands have gathered at cenotaphs throughout the nation on Remembrance Day it became apparent that those attending the services who actually “remembered� the wars were in the minority.

Most of the people assembled around the cenotaphs had no true memory of the battles. They, for the most part, were not there. Some attended the services because members of their family had served. Others out of respect for those they did not know who paid the supreme sacrifice.

Children especially had no remembrance of the events that took place long before they were born. Those wars were the memories of their parents and grandparents.

Standing in front of the cenotaph were the soldiers. Those who had seen battles, who had served during wartime and those who had memories of war.

In Yarmouth’s case there was a time not that long ago when the Overseas Club, comprised of First World War veterans, marched to the Main Street cenotaph. The Second World War veterans looked like kids next to them. Then the last of the First World War veterans died and those “kids�, now considerably older, were front and centre. They too are now a rarity as the surviving veterans hit their 80s.

But there have been other wars: Korea, Vietnam and veterans of those wars are among those taking part in the Remembrance Day services. And now we see a generation of youngsters at Remembrance Day services who have knowledge of war in that they read about Canadian soldiers dying in Afghanistan.

As we gather this Saturday to remember and honour the men and women who serve and have served, and those whose names we see on the cenotaphs, let us hope that the day will come when those who assemble on future November 11ths have no memory of wars.

When that day comes we will all know that those who served would want us not to have the memories they had.