My brother Derek is the next generation of military men in our family. He, too, is a hero. I find it very hard to think of what he does, what he could be doing, where he could end up going. It's harder because he's the only brother I have left, since our younger brother Jason was murdered in 2006. I don't think I've ever told Derek how proud I am of him, for representing our family, his family and our country. I am very proud, Derek.
T
oday Derek sent me a link to a news story in Britain, where fallen heroes are not given the respect they so deserve. While the article made my heart ache for the fallen soldiers in that country, I also felt pride for my country--Canada. I've been 'away' from military life now for about 18 years, but I always think of the men and women overseas who are fighting for freedom--maybe not Canada's freedom, but they're helping those who are too weak to fight for themselves.
oday Derek sent me a link to a news story in Britain, where fallen heroes are not given the respect they so deserve. While the article made my heart ache for the fallen soldiers in that country, I also felt pride for my country--Canada. I've been 'away' from military life now for about 18 years, but I always think of the men and women overseas who are fighting for freedom--maybe not Canada's freedom, but they're helping those who are too weak to fight for themselves.I salute and honor all fallen heroes in all countries, particularly Canada, Britain and the US. I think it is tragic and criminal that war heroes are not welcomed with ceremony and honor in Britain. But we can honor them now. I invite you to take a few minutes right now and read the article posted today in This is London and honor ALL fallen heroes.
The article begins with:
"They serve the same Queen, fight the same foe and lay down their lives with equal valour and sacrifice. But when the fallen heroes of Canada and Britain come home, the welcome is very different."
There is no place to comment directly at this link, so I welcome your comments here after you read the article.
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
former military 'brat' and former military wife
1 comment:
I agree that military servicemen and servicewomen should be honored, respected, and revered. I do not agree with the U.S.'s invasion of Iraq. It is fundamentally a war based on lies, and a universal tragedy. That said, I have nothing but admiration for those who selflessly put themselves in harm's way in the name of their countries. I do wonder, however, how much the leaders of countries like the U.S. actually value the lives of the servicepeople, given the shoddy treatment (U.S.soldiers, at least) receive while in the battlefield, i.e. not receiving everything they need to be as safe as possible, such as the proper protective gear and vehicles. My heart aches when I think of the helpless feeling the families of the soldiers must get when their soldiers' terms of duty are extended because of the lack of support for the war in Iraq, and thus the lack of willing souls to put themselves in danger for a war that was poorly thought out, had no real plan for the long-term, and was spear-headed by a man who cannot even pronounce the word "nuclear" correctly. I will dance on day that G.W. Bush leaves office, as I'm sure many in the world will, including many servicepeople who wonder what exactly it is they could be dying for in Iraq.
Beth Fehlbaum, author
Courage in Patience, a story of hope for those who have endured abuse
http://courageinpatience.blogspot.com
Chapter One is online!
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