Honouring service, sacrifice

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This article was published 12/11/2024 (508 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As hundreds of Brandon and western Manitoba residents gathered on Monday at Westoba Place to pay tribute to the sacrifices of Canada’s military forces across generations, Lt.-Col. Jordan Beatty said reflecting on “their service” means a lot to those in uniform.

In his address at the event, Beatty — the commanding officer of the 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery at Canadian Forces Base Shilo — reminded the crowd of the enduring importance of Remembrance Day and the legacy of Canada’s contributions to global peace and security.

“We should use this time to reflect on their service because there’s a lot of Canadians right now serving, and then we need their support as well,” he told the Sun in an interview on Monday.

“There are a few stories of military members and veterans who have served our country at home and abroad, and there are thousands more. Each person in uniform has made a difference, ensuring a safer and more peaceful world.

“Please take a moment to reflect on their strength, their service and their sacrifice.”

Beatty tasked the public to appreciate those in uniform — both serving and veterans — by attending a Remembrance Day ceremony, wearing a poppy over their heart, writing a recognition card to them or simply sharing their stories with friends and family because it means a lot to all those in uniform — both past and present.

Drawing on war history, he recounted pivotal moments in Canada’s military past, including the iconic D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, and the Allied efforts during the Second World War.

“It’s estimated that 359 Canadians were killed on D-Day alone … More than 5,000 Canadians were killed during the two and a half months of fighting in Normandy … and more than 13,000 Canadians were injured both in mind and body,” he told the audience.

“These veterans fought selflessly to achieve peace and to make the world a better place.”

Beatty also referenced Canada’s more recent missions in Afghanistan, where Canadian troops worked alongside international forces to foster stability in the region.

Beatty called upon the crowd to consider small acts of remembrance that honour this legacy year-round.

“Remembrance Day isn’t just about reflecting on the past,” he said. “It’s a reminder of our ongoing responsibilities to those who served and those who continue to serve.”

Father Chris Arthur, the officiating minister at the ceremony, reflected on the significance of the day.

“I guess the biggest thing for me is that I can enjoy so much freedom because of the sacrifices of other people,” he told the Sun after the event.

“I have never been to war and my family’s never been to war. My closest connection is through an uncle and a great-uncle who served, but through my career as a firefighter and paramedic, I have witnessed the enduring toll of war on individuals and families, especially in the context of mental health.”

Such work, he said, exposed him to the long-term effects of war, the pain and the wounds — both physical and mental — that war causes.

He expressed a profound respect for the sacrifices made by soldiers and the often-overlooked human cost of war.

“Until you see the sacrifice that people have made and the cost of war … I think oftentimes we forget the true cost of war,” he said in an interview. “It was always somebody’s son, always somebody’s daughter.”

Royal Canadian Legion Brandon Branch assistant sergeant-at-arms Steve Morrison told the Sun his family includes generations of Canadian service members.

“My grandfather served in World War I and my father in World War II. They left behind stories of courage and endurance that have been passed down through my family,” he said in an interview. “My father’s stories weren’t just about the battles — they were about the bonds they formed, the sacrifices they made, and the resilience they found in each other.”

For Morrison, these family stories add depth to Remembrance Day, reminding him of the sacrifices made not only by those in uniform but also by their families.

“When I see a veteran, I see my father and my grandfather,” he said. “Remembrance Day is a way to honour their memories and all they gave for this country.”

Brandon-Souris MP Larry Maguire told the Sun it is important to pass these stories of service and resilience to future generations.

“It’s a sober day dedicated to honouring those who gave us the freedoms we enjoy,” he said. “It’s about remembering not only those who served and returned, but more importantly, those who never made it back. Today reminds us never to forget the sacrifice they made for us.”

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