Today marks Remembrance Day, a moment when Canadians reflect on the sacrifices made in conflicts and peacekeeping missions around the world. For more than a century the nation has paused at the eleventh hour to honour those who never returned and those who came home forever changed.
Vincent O’Hanley served in Bosnia, Lebanon, the Golan Heights and Gaza. He says this day carries deep meaning for every Canadian.
The world continues to grapple with conflict and O’Hanley notes that members of the Canadian Armed Forces are still deployed in demanding peacekeeping roles. He has witnessed firsthand the realities behind the fight for freedom.
O’Hanley has served alongside 29 militaries throughout his career and says Canada’s commitment to global peacekeeping is unlike any other nation. He adds that the freedoms we enjoy today were secured at great cost by generations of service members.
Canadians are encouraged to take time today to remember those who fought, those who continue to serve and those whose sacrifices have shaped the country we call home.