This page sat blank for quite some time. I was racking my thoughts to develop a new way to share old stories and fresh perspectives on centuries-old conflicts and how the courage and sacrifice of so many shaped our country. And so, while I pondered this, the page sat blank a while longer.

But then a strange thing happened. As I was sifting through old war-time material – journals, diaries, stories, etc. – I was flooded with the fresh perspectives and stories I sought. But, this time, they were straight from the source; they were real-life accounts from the men and women who lived, breathed, and forever had the scars of war imprinted on their bodies and minds. And while the themes were similar, each story left an indelible mark.

We recount these stories, many of us reading a chapter or verse from the narratives passed down to us. We desperately try to connect with them, but we always come up short, no matter the effort. But therein lies our responsibility for the next generation and the generation after that. We must be storytellers; to preserve the past and protect the future.

Today, November 11, we celebrate our freedoms. We celebrate our heroes, those with us, those who have passed, and those who never made it home. And though we celebrate, there remains a profound grief to the day. The conflict, the fear, and the anguish all remain visible in the eyes of our veterans. They carry a weight many of us will never know. And for that alone, they have our sincere thanks.

We have seen, time and again, that peace does not always come easy or naturally. Instead, to achieve peace, we must defeat tyranny and conquer evil. To do this, we have continuously called on our country’s bravest men and women to stand on guard for all of us. To say they’ve done this admirably is a great understatement but no less true.

On behalf of the City of Welland, I offer my heartfelt appreciation for everything done to keep every Canadian safe and free. Only the angels can rival our military member’s service, and I’m convinced they are one and the same.

Lest we forget.