A rchive Date
[ 05-06-2000 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ Canada ]
|
[http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Columnists/Rodriguez_Jose/2005/11/11/1302408-sun.html
Shameful display
Whining about vote an affront to our war heroes
By JOSE RODRIGUEZ, MANAGING EDITOR
Fri, November 11, 2005
Shame on us. Today is Remembrance Day. The one day of the year we pay tribute to the brave men and women who wrestled freedom from the hands of tyranny.
Those fortunate enough to have made it back will dust off ill-fitting uniforms and medals and raise their age-frail hands to their heads in salute for those who didn't return. Tears will stream a path through the lined faces of veterans who have seen first-hand the price of freedom.
Yet, in this free and democratic country we've inherited through their sacrifice, we've spent the last week quibbling and moaning over the potential of an election campaign that may cut into the Christmas season. We've become so coddled, we've lost sight that voting - no matter when - is the greatest freedom these aging soldiers have secured for us.
It is shameful that in the week leading up to Remembrance Day, tales of heroism and honour have been eclipsed by pompous politicians and self-centred citizens lamenting the thought of a Christmas election campaign. Because having to think about who to vote for during the frantic shopping season would be a hindrance.
An inconvenience that would cut into our mall time.
The possibility of a political pamphlet in the mailbox, an ad on TV, or a lawn sign peeking through the yuletide snow just doesn't fit into our Santa and sleighbells comfort of the season. Oh, what pampered freedom we have.
Back in 1944, Thomas Agnew spent Christmas in Norfolk, England. Agnew was a tail gunner who flew more than 1,000 bombing missions over Germany - the only Canadian member of his Royal Air Force crew. He would have preferred to be back home with his family but he saw the war as his duty.
Cpl. Hubert Lasalle spent Christmas in a military hospital in England. He stepped on a landmine in Holland that broke both of his legs and tore off his foot. He remembers being scared but he never complained. He counts himself as one of the lucky ones. He made it back home. Some of his friends didn't.
There are thousands of others with similar tales. But if you fast-forward 60 years, it seems convenience has become as important as freedom. For now, a Christmas election campaign seems unlikely but that will not undo the ugly, self-serving attitudes and platitudes demonstrated this past week.
And for what? Because we might have to make a small sacrifice during the holiday season? Pathetic.
Today, many of us will pause and remind ourselves that freedom didn't come free. Its price is measured in blood and bodies and the duties associated with liberty don't stop after this morning's obligatory moment of silence. Where brave soldiers once took on the duty to fight for our freedom in a foreign land, that torch has been passed to us.
Our biggest duty is to hold freedom and democracy above convenience. Whether it be Christmas, Easter or Halloween. Taking our freedom for granted, as many have demonstrated this past week, brings shame to the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
They deserve better.
Have a letter for the editor? E-mail it to webmaster@calgarysun.com
Copyright © 2005, Canoe Inc. All rights reserved.
 World Fact Book (CIA)]]
Cross-Indexed:
|
|