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COLUMN: Remember and let us be grateful

These are heartbreaking tales of families torn apart, people forced to fight, or losing everything
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What is it to remember?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “to bring to mind or think of again,” relatively uncomplicated.

But what we remember and how it makes us feel is much more complex.

Memories can be happy, horrifying, sad, even altered, and there is no limit to them or what they may conjure. For some, the memories may not even be their own but seen or felt through another’s eyes.

As Veterans’ Week approaches the memories we experience can range from personal or possibly detached, strength, weakness, hope and despair, so many variations from vastly different people.

As we ponder the past, present and future, what the world has in common is that war, whether on your door step or continents away, brings destruction and pain, along with courage.

As a young adult living in Canada I have never directly experienced the effects of war. Like many of us I have heard stories, read history books, listened to the news, but never felt its direct impact. But for many others, they have witnessed and been part of more hurt and brokenness than some could ever imagine.

These are heartbreaking tales of families torn apart, people forced to fight, or losing everything. They are memories that are recounted and part of the reason Veterans’ Week exists, a reminder of the horrors the world has seen and where we have come, helping us understand the worlds progression and the sacrifices made to instil hope.

Hope is essential and is also what we strive to remember.

For the people who have lived through these difficult and daunting times, they are the map of where we have been, how we have endured, the strength that is within and the path to peace.

Much has transpired through the ages and continues today.

These events shape us, teach us, shock us, give us pause, but in the end, show us how to grow and to better ourselves, as a society, as a world, as human beings. I am reminded in these moments that through struggle there is change and how grateful we should be for the multitude of people who have fought, and still fight today against the hardships in this world to make that change.

Let each of us never take for granted the wonderful world we live in and the people who have sacrificed to make it that way.

To all out there, long past and still present, I am truly grateful.

If you are interested in learning more or taking time to remember, please join us at the library for Veterans’ Week. We have an array of books, stories, memoirs and videos. Warrior Rising — A Soldier’s Journey to PTSD and Back, by LCol Chris Linford, Firing Lines – Three Canadian Women Write the First World War, by Debbie Marshall or Voices of a War Remembered, by Bill McNeil are a few recommended selections.

Carly Tanasichuk is an Assistant Community Librarian at the ORL in Summerland and says, “Thank you Grandpa, you are remembered.”

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