The government of Canada has declared 2005, the Year of the Veteran. This year of the veterans remembers the traditions of service, courage and sacrifice made by hometown heroes.
Between 1914 and 1918 over 400 men from Transcona enlisted in service to serve King and Country. These brave men fought for the cause of freedom overseas in the trenches of Europe. In letters home to loved ones, the Transcona men bearing a military uniform asked that “they always be remembered”.
In 1918, on the 11th day, of the 11th month, the signing of the “Treaty of Versailles” brought the war to an end. Peace was declared and the date of November 11, known at the time as Armistice Day took on a very special meaning.
For those who returned, there were physical and emotional scars. Watching their comrades die on the battlefield took its toll. They were also charged with the sacred duty of remembering their fallen comrades.
Between 1939 and 1945 the world was at war again. Canada was allied with Britain, France, USSR, China and the United States in the fight against Germany, Italy and Japan.
On September 3, 1939 Canada pledged support for Great Britain. Men and women were once again called upon to serve in Canada’s armed services and merchant marine during World War II. Many of these individuals made the ultimate sacrifice for their country for the values of freedom, democracy and human rights.
Women also experienced many changes during the war years. They were called upon as volunteers, both to serve in uniform in the women’s division of the army, navy or air force and to work in munitions factories. Many women took on the task of raising families alone. Burdened with the task of raising children without fathers, they had to cope with severe loneliness and fear.
In 1945 World War II ended there was much triumph as well as sadness. However this was not to be the end of war or conflict and many sacrifices were yet to be made. There would be more world conflicts and more wars.
Communities rallied to create monuments and memorials that would allow future generations to remember the sacrifices that had been made. The servicemen vowed NEVER TO FORGET and pledged to keep the memories alive of their fallen comrades.
We must never forget the courage and sacrifice that took place. We must too remember those countless others, young and old alike who served on the home front, whether working on farms or in factories, or collected scrap materials to support the war effort. All played their part and they did so willingly to bring their loved ones home.
The poppy is a symbol of Remembrance Day. Those who fought in Belgium and northern France noticed the extraordinary persistence of a very fragile flower, the cornfield poppy. This flower splashed it’s blood red blooms over the field every summer. It blooms there to this day. The returning servicemen made the red poppy their emblem.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns
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