Heroes in the Sky, on the Ground, and travelling down the Highway

Today's Topic: War and The Fallen Soldier

For years, there are those who pay the ultimate price for freedom. In different circumstances, boys become men, girls become women and the everyday citizen becomes the everyday hero. It seems as though humanity resorts to violence by creating war and the world, as a whole, is always involved. Whether we see it as our duty to step in when something doesn't seem right or when psychopaths, corrupt governments are trying to be the rulers, there are those who stand up to the injustice of humanity and become a name, a tombstone, a hero. Fallen soldiers are a symbol of bravery, an individual who rises to the call no matter what the cost. And they a honored in the simplest of terms: hero. A parent loses a child, a wife loses her husband, a child loses a parent, a brother loses a sibling or a soldier loses a friend, we all at some point can relate to a fallen soldier and the pain that war brings.

It's very easy to bury your head in the sand when a war is going on across the world; I realize that. But whether you view it as a war on terrorism, a war against Al-Qaeda, a war in Afghanistan, a war of injustice, a war against humanity or even a pointless war, it's still happening. Is it happening for so many reasons? Or no reason at all? The stated aim of the original invasion was to find Osama Bin Laden, and other high-ranking Al-Qaeda members to be put on trial, to destroy the organization of Al-Qaeda, and to remove the Taliban regime which supported and gave safe harbor to it. The question is have we lost sight of what it is we were fighting for? And in the meantime, sacrificed countless of lives for an unjust cause?

Nine years in the making. Nine years and we still have only brushed the surface of this mission. Yes, our troops have made a difference. They have improved the quality of living for some and have helped the villages and towns in need. They have helped countries build a better life and helped release them from a terrorist stronghold. But at what cost? At the cost of so many innocent lives, so many innocent soldiers who feel like it is their duty to serve their country. With over 35 countries involved worldwide, the fight rages on. Day after day, week after week, year after year. I remember having grade 10 history and learning about the wars from year past, something that was a part of our heritage and remembered in the textbooks of schools across the country. I wonder with this war going on, will it ever be in the textbooks? Will my children learn about the War in Afghanistan? Will they be tested on Osama Bin Laden? Or is it already happening? Modern Warfare classes are already being taken yes, but at what point do we say "kids, you have to grasp the knowledge of the war that took place for ten years." Or will it be more than that? I'm sure the kids in kindergarten today will learn all about 9/11 and how this war began, but how far do they take it? The battle in Kandahar? The capture of Al-Qaeda leaders? I wonder who decides how much of this information is "relevant and important." What do we put in or leave out? How do we decide what is the most crucial to learn about? How do we describe to our children of tomorrow about the ones we lost in the battle?

It was not long ago that I had a moment when I was proud to be Canadian. I live a short drive for CFB Trenton, the place where repatriation ceremonies take place. Our fallen soldiers return here and are then driven down the highway of heroes to their final resting place. I was driving home from a long weekend as the sun was fading. When I looked up at the overhead bridges and passes along the 401, there they were. The mothers, the fathers, the sibling, the children and the rest of the family friends and Canadian citizens showing their respects for the heroes. I got chills. After every overpass and every flag. I felt such pride as a Canadian and thought, how kind we are to our soldiers and how respectful people are to those who have lost. Cars pulled over to the side of the highway, police and firefighters all helping salute the soldier we have lost; it was just incredible. The pictures don't do it justice. My words don't do it justice. You simply have to see it for yourself.

For a brief moment, I remembered how kind people can be to each other, how we can work together and how we can pay tribute. What a shame that you only hear and see these unselfish acts when it involves death. Both The Trews and Bob Reid made a song entitled "Highway of Heroes" honouring those we have lost and those who have supported them. It makes for a fitting tribute to the casualties of war and if you haven't heard either song, it's a song you have to download.

I know for days to come there will probably be more casualties and more bloodshed. I am thankful everyday that I can go to work without worrying about carrying a gun for protection or wearing an Armour suit for fear that I may be shot at. For some, they make that their daily job. Traveling into a dessert, a desolate town or village, a scorching hot building or invading mountainous terrain. These people do it because they are doing their job and their duty that their country asks of them. They do it so we can all carry on with OUR normal lives and not be held back with the inconvenience of carrying a grenade in our purse or a AK-47 in our car. To those who are serving or those who have lost a friend or family member, I say thank you. Thank you for paying a sacrifice into a war that sometimes seems ridiculous in present, but logical in theory. I know I can't do much, but I pay my respect by writing about your cause, and telling you that you are unspoken heroes to so many. It is my hope that as the years pass on, we remember those who fought in a war to protect the lives of so many. With the flags flying low and true patriot love, there is never enough we could do for you.