Military appreciation beyond November 11
Another Remembrance Day has come and
gone. I'm certain that you've all paid your
respects, done your part and took a moment
to remember those who have fought and fallen
for this country. Perhaps what you are
less inclined to do is extend those same feelings
beyond the calendar date of November
11.
I grew up in London, and I lived there until I was 25. Now, I live on a military base, so these issues are much more in the forefront for me, however since I know what it's like to live in London, and perhaps forget that London has a military community as well, I want to take the time to remind people of a few things.
Remembrance Day isn't just about the fallen soldiers. It's about those who return home wounded with visible and invisible scars. It's about those who work long hours every day to support those on the front lines. It's about those who are on the front lines. It's about those who are truly unsung heroes in the special forces, who do the heavy lifting and the dangerous jobs, but who cannot ever receive thanks. It's about those families who have one of their own involved in the military and who have to make sacrifices that their civilian counterparts will never truly understand.
Being part of a military family, I appreciate that civilians take time out of their busy schedules to thank those close to me for the sacrifices they make, day in and day out. I appreciate that more than any civilian will ever be able to understand. But what I want even more than that kind of attention and gratitude on November 11 is that same kind of attention and gratitude on November 12, December 1, March 20 and every other day.
What I'm going to suggest is that if you want to show your support and your gratitude beyond Remembrance Day, you should also make small gestures of appreciation when the opportunity presents itself. See that soldier standing in line behind you at Tim Hortons in their uniform? Buy their coffee, if you can. See that olive green car trying desperately to turn onto Oxford Street from Wolseley Barracks in rush-hour traffic? Let them in. See that man or woman in uniform at the grocery store? Tell them you appreciate them.
What the military community really needs, but will never ask for, is to feel appreciated on more days of the year than just November 11. London may not be Petawawa or Kingston, but we do house a military community; we support them and they support us.
Don't forget that just because Remembrance Day has passed.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
I grew up in London, and I lived there until I was 25. Now, I live on a military base, so these issues are much more in the forefront for me, however since I know what it's like to live in London, and perhaps forget that London has a military community as well, I want to take the time to remind people of a few things.
Remembrance Day isn't just about the fallen soldiers. It's about those who return home wounded with visible and invisible scars. It's about those who work long hours every day to support those on the front lines. It's about those who are on the front lines. It's about those who are truly unsung heroes in the special forces, who do the heavy lifting and the dangerous jobs, but who cannot ever receive thanks. It's about those families who have one of their own involved in the military and who have to make sacrifices that their civilian counterparts will never truly understand.
Being part of a military family, I appreciate that civilians take time out of their busy schedules to thank those close to me for the sacrifices they make, day in and day out. I appreciate that more than any civilian will ever be able to understand. But what I want even more than that kind of attention and gratitude on November 11 is that same kind of attention and gratitude on November 12, December 1, March 20 and every other day.
What I'm going to suggest is that if you want to show your support and your gratitude beyond Remembrance Day, you should also make small gestures of appreciation when the opportunity presents itself. See that soldier standing in line behind you at Tim Hortons in their uniform? Buy their coffee, if you can. See that olive green car trying desperately to turn onto Oxford Street from Wolseley Barracks in rush-hour traffic? Let them in. See that man or woman in uniform at the grocery store? Tell them you appreciate them.
What the military community really needs, but will never ask for, is to feel appreciated on more days of the year than just November 11. London may not be Petawawa or Kingston, but we do house a military community; we support them and they support us.
Don't forget that just because Remembrance Day has passed.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
