On this, the 80th anniversary of Dieppe and the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and as we near the end of Remembrance November, the presentation given by Port Elgin Legion Branch 340 Secretary-Treasurer and long-time member, Norma Dudgeon, on November 11th is worth repeating …
“We gather here today as a nation and a community to express our profound gratitude to our service men and women who – with the support of their families and friends – served their country with courage and sacrifice.
Wars have touched the lives of Canadians of all ages, all races, all social classes. Fathers, sons, daughters, sweethearts: they were killed in action, they were wounded, and thousands who returned were forced to live the rest of their lives with the physical and mental scars of war. Our soldiers who stayed in Canada also served their country where they were needed.
Our world continues to struggle with turmoil, conflicts and war and our hearts go out to those afflicted with the suffering and trauma on humanity.
Members of the Canadian Armed Forces are training the Ukrainian Forces, working with our NATO allies and stepping up for communities when natural disasters strike.
The years are catching up with our Veterans who served in the past wars and it is up to us to perpetuate their memory as we can never forget the pain and sacrifices that they have made.
To all our veterans, young & old alike – we humbly say “thank you”. Your courage, service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Dudgeon ended the ceremony with words from Donald Pearce, a soldier in a frontline dugout …
“When will it all end? The idiocy and the tension, the dying of young men, the destruction of homes, of cities, starvation, exhaustion, disease, children parentless and lost, cages full of shivering, starving prisoners, long lines of civilians plodding through mud, the endless pounding of the battle-line … When will it all end?”
We will remember Them 
