OUR VETERANS
Who are our veterans? These are the men and women who volunteered to serve their country during war or on peacekeeping missions. They were ordinary citizens from every walk of life who made the decision to defend their country overseas, to fight for freedom and liberty. Thousands of these people were young boys in their teens, many lying about their ages, so eager they were to defend their country. Others were veterans who had fought in previous wars, yet still willing to serve their nation in time of need. These people were eager to show their loyalty for the country they loved; they were willing to engage in combat, to fight for liberty and freedom a cause which all felt was their due.
Many of those who volunteered to serve their country had no real concept of what was before them. They were aware of the destruction, the absence of loved ones as well as the death war causes but the reality did not actually strike them until they left the safety of their country and were in the midst of combat zones.
Those who served their country overseas experienced the brutality of war. They witnessed monstrosities and lived through terrors that only one who has been engaged in combat can understand. Young boys soon became men. They soon learned to block out the devastation, which surrounded them, as they fought. It was only once a battle was over that events invaded their minds, causing anguish, fear and grief for those who did not survive the battle. They learned to hide their emotions for the most part, to carry on and to live with the fear inside them.
These men and women made many sacrifices, witnessed first hand the shocking realities of war and the devastation it causes. They faced death each day, never knowing if they would survive the next battle. They saw comrades die all around them. They witnessed the mangled limbs of their friends injured in battle. They heard moaning, cries of anguish and sobbing coming from all areas of the battle field as the injured lay there waiting without knowledge of when help would arrive. Many of these men and women were past the point of fatigue, severely in need of sleep and rest; yet, they had to keep pushing on. They had no choice, if they wanted to survive the battle. They fought bravely bringing honour to themselves, to their loved ones and their country. These were ordinary people who made amazing sacrifices, defending their country and fighting for world peace.
Throughout this century, hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost due to war. Soldiers, civilians, innocent victims and children who happened to live within the area where destruction was taking place. There is no doubt, war kills, it knows no boundaries, and it does not discriminate, everyone within the vicinity of combat are at risk.
Death Toll for Canadians
First World War 66,655
Second World War 44,893
Korean War 516
The death toll for Newfoundland, which was not a part of Confederation at time also, suffered losses:
First World War 1,605
Second World War 722
The total number of deaths from these three wars alone equals 114,391. These figures do not include lives lost on peacekeeping missions or those who fought in other wars.
The death toll is high, much higher than many may realise, but what about those who were wounded. There are no statistics for those wounded during combat or while on peacekeeping missions. I can almost guarantee though that the number of wounded is much higher than deaths. Many of our veterans have visible wounds such as lost limbs or those who due to injuries now use a cane, a walker, are confined to wheelchairs or have to use some other apparatus in order to lead normal lives. Many have scars from bullets, which entered their bodies, broken bones, and yes, scars from being captured by the enemy and undergoing torture. Let's think for a minute! How many of these brave men and women suffer emotional scars? Again it would be hard to calculate, but I'm sure that almost all of those who witnessed the barbaric realities of war have some emotional scars. These wounds may not show on the outside, but, they are deeply etched upon the minds and hearts of all these men and women. Most have managed to put the horrors of war behind them and lead a normal life. Many continue to have flash backs which affects every avenue of their lives. Some will never recover memories and visions continually play in their heads, not allowing them to lead a normal life. So much destruction, so much pain and suffering these courageous people have faced.
Last but not least, what about the number of men and women, who were captured and taken prisoner, placed in concentration camps. Will we ever really know the torments they suffered? Many placed in concentration camps refuse to speak of their time spent there. They want to forget about that period of their lives and to concentrate on living. Even now, years after peace treaties have been signed, there are still those being kept prisoners. Why and how this has occurred we will never know. All we can do is to pray they are still alive and hope someday they will be released and allowed to return home to their families and friends who love and miss them.
To each and every one of our veterans and soldiers, I salute you. I thank you for your courage and the stand you took in serving your country. Each of you are heroes/heroines who deserve the respect and appreciation from not only your country but its' people.
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