Mr. Speaker, on Remembrance Day we will pay tribute to the Canadians who fell in war throughout the century.
As we pause to remember, we would do well to recall that war affects not just those on the front lines but also those left at home to cope.
During the second world war, for every Canadian in uniform there were 10 serving at home on the home front. They worked the farms and factories. They gave blood, collected scrap, planted victory gardens and bought victory bonds. They suffered privations and rationing.
Throughout it all, they worried and prayed for their sons and daughters, husbands and wives waiting in fear for that dreaded telegram that would begin “We regret to inform you—”. It was a tremendous time of sacrifice but of great spirit.
On November 11, we will remember those who sacrificed all so that we in this world would be rid of the forces of oppression and tyranny. They would be proud of the nation that their children built and merely ask us to remember them still. We pledge to do this forever.