In
1915, Canadian soldier John McCrae who served in the Second Battle of
Ypres in Flanders, Belgium, wrote a poem InFlanders
Fields
in remembrance of a fallen comrade who died in battle and was buried
with a simple cross as a marker ~ fields that once alive with
poppies, are now filled with the bodies of soldiers who died in
action. The poem highlights one of the ironies of war: that soldiers
must die so that a nation of people might live.
In
Flanders Fields, the poppies bloom
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 below.
(John
McCrae)
Jose
Nuresky stated: In
war, there are no un-wounded soldiers.
Pierre Trudeau proudly stated:
Our hopes are high...
Our faith in the people are great...
Our courage is strong.
And our dreams for this beautiful country,
will never die.
Adrienne Clarkson observed:
We only need to look at what we are really doing in the world and
at home
and we will know what it is to be a Canadian.
This heritage of freedom, I pledge to uphold
for myself and all mankind.
(John Diefenbaker)
“Canada
has also been known for its peaceful people...vibrant culture...
and beautiful countryside.
More
than that, Canada is known for its patriotism.”
(Unknown
Author)
“I
am Grateful for Canada”
wrote Abdullah Ahmad (Hamilton) in response to comments by
Malala Yousafzai on April 20, 2017 in the Hamilton Spectator.
Granting
Malala Yousafzai an
honorary citizenship has re-emphasized that Canada operates
synonomously with the values of peace, tolerance and acceptance. My
family and I were personal recipients of Canada's mercy,( as we fled
to, as refugees from religious persecution that plagued my country)
which offers equal opportunity for all ~ irrespective of race,
gender, culture ~ it may be easy to take these values as granted.
An example is education. Malala spoke about the importance
of equal education among the genders.
It is important for all Canadians to understand that in some parts of
the world,
these
rights
are non-existent.
As an Ahmadi Muslim, I am extremely grateful that Canada has accepted
my family
and me with open arms ~ and hope that we continue to be world
leaders
in the matters of tolerance and diversity.
I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear...
free to worship in my own way...
free to stand for what I think right...
free to oppose what I think wrong...
free to choose who shall govern my country.
(Unknown author)
Statement
by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
on
Canadian Multiculturalism Day, June
27, 2018
As the first country in the world to adopt a policy of
'multiculturalism' time time again, that diversity and inclusion are
sources of strength and at the heart of success.
One fifth of Canadians were born elsewhere
One fifth of Canadians were born elsewhere
and chose to immigrate to Canada.
Vibrant, progressive and diverse, our towns and cities have become
'windows to the world'
because of the people who have made them home.
While we have much to celebrate, we need to recognize that the Canadian reality has not been, ~ and is not today ~ welcoming, fair and equal for everybody.
While we have much to celebrate, we need to recognize that the Canadian reality has not been, ~ and is not today ~ welcoming, fair and equal for everybody.
As Canadians, we must work even harder to create a level playing
field that expands opportunity and gives a voice to all. Canada is
successful and prosperous because generation after generation, of
Canadians have embraced this task ~ and challenged themselves ~ and
each other, to broaden our understanding of what it means to be an
open, compassionate ~ and accepting country.
As
we mark the 30th
anniversary of the Canadian Multicultural Act, I call on all
Canadians to put our values into practice ~ and embrace the
difference that make us strong.
We are all custodians of Canada's character.
May we never forget ~ or take it for granted, that Canada is an
accepting, compassionate and respective country ~ and an example to
the world, because we are accepting, compassionate and respective of
each other.
On behalf of the Government of Canada,
I invite all Canadians to take
part in the many activities being held across the country ~
and to take a moment to recognize and appreciate the valuable
contributions
that people of all backgrounds have made and continue to make, to
Canadian society.
To comment about the foregoing and essence of this writing:
respond
to mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca
(written November 3, 2019)
From Dilu: "I have read so many articles every year. This blog you have put together, is so interesting and actually made me emotional.
ReplyDeleteHow quickly we forget the years of service for the fallen soldiers.Thank you. I will forward this to all my friends.
Hope you are doing well.