Remember the Fallen

284 Canadians gave their lives serving in the Boer War. 68,000 died in the First World War; 47,000 in the Second World War. 516 died in the Korean War, 116 died on UN peacekeeping missions, and 133 have died, to this date, serving us in Afghanistan.

Canadian soldiers risk their lives for this country every day. What do they get in return?

Remembrance Day in Quebec was a shock to many Canadians. Some 200 protesters egged soldiers at the Black Watch building during the visit of Prince Charles - presumably, in protest of the monarchy. This writer opines that if that province ever comes under attack, those protesters will be singing a very different tune about our Canadian soldiers.

But, that's not the point. The point is this: Every moment of every day, soldiers are in other countries risking their lives in the name of freedom. Whether for Canada or the U.S., men and women are out there risking their lives to bring peace to the proverbial "valleys" of the world, in the best way they know how. The very least they deserve from citizens is respect.

Remembrance Day is the day we honor our war veterans. It is the one day each year that is set aside specifically for remembering the fallen. But can we do more? Yes, we can.

In the U.S. the Adopt-A-Soldier program offers a multitude of ways you can help support the troops. You can also visit Soldiers' Angels, and "let no soldier go unloved."

In Canada, you can visit the Chosen Soldier Project and learn more about adopting Canadian soldiers. You can also visit the Canadian Forces website and learn about how you contact the soldiers and help keep up their morale while they're away.

Whatever you decide to do, show respect all year long to the brave men and women who are risking - and giving - their lives in service to their country. It matters not whether they are Canadian or American; what matters is that they are out there on the fields of battle, sacrificing everything to keep us safe.