For those who gave their lives, are giving, to a cause much greater than any single individual can hope for alone.
For those who took up arms when they were needed.
For those who realized that there are battles, other than their own, that need to be fought.
For your selfless sacrifices, the bravery that I can only dream of having, and for reminding us of duty and honour... Thank you.
I will not forget my term in Ottawa, working with the department that is in charge of procuring gear and equipment for our forces. They always spoke of them with pride, and worked hard to get them what they wanted, needed. I underestimated their devotion, until the day another one of the "boys" was lost in Afghanistan. They were silent. No professional banter, no playful jokes, no gleaming smiles. Just a solemn, empty face... eyes looking at the ground wherever they walked. In some way, they felt they had failed. That they had not done something, purchased something, provided something, that could've saved that soldier's life. I didn't understand what devotion was, until then.
I did not have a chance to pick up a poppy this year. I hope you'll all forgive me. But this boy will never forget the gravity of your accomplishments, nor waver as he strives to do his part. For those of you in the forces that I've had the privilege of meeting, thank you for treating me as one of your own, thank you for showing class, and thank you for showing me that you are some of the most human of any of us. The most emotional, logical, disciplined, and down to earth individuals I've truly met.
My Respect. Always.
God bless the Canadian Forces.
