November 11 should be more special

Canadians recently lost our last World War 1 veteran. His name was John Babcock and his passing marked the end of an era in Canadian history.
 
Approximately 67,000 Canadians were killed in WW1 and 173,000 wounded. We sent over 600,000 men to the front. Given our population at the time was less than 8 million people, this represented one of the most extensive national efforts and sacrifices of the war.
 
Canadians have repeatedly served when the freedoms of others – and by extension our own freedoms – have been threatened. WW1, WW2, Korea, Kosovo, the first Gulf war, and now Afghanistan represent battlefields where Canadians have sacrificed themselves time and again for their country and for the well being of complete strangers.
 
Every November 11th we are given the opportunity to remember those who sacrificed so much for the freedoms many of us often take for granted. Personally, I think we can do more to make this day of remembrance more…remembered.
 
If you have ever seen a clip of a shopping mall or grocery store on Nov 11th at 11:00am, I am sure most of you probably feel the same as I do – very uncomfortable. Not only is the image of people bargaining and shopping whilst totally unaware of the moment of silence being observed across the country is sad in itself; but also unfair is the fact that many of the employees working that day would likely very much prefer to be watching a Remembrance Day service during that time.
 
Next year, I hope to bring forward legislation that would keep our retail outlets and stores closed every November 11th until roughly 1:00 pm. This has been done in other provinces across Canada; why not in Alberta where our respect for veterans is as profound as anywhere across the country.
 
By implementing this small change, everyone wishing to attend a Remembrance Day service will have the opportunity. The stature of Remembrance Day will be elevated as individuals are able to plan the day as one to spend at a service and with family. A collective societal respect and reverence for those who have sacrificed so much will almost certainly be increased.
 
History and memories fade with time. Many of our children and grandchildren may grow up without ever knowing a WW2 veteran. Hopefully, they grow up never knowing war. However, the best chance of achieving that is to ensure that we and our children are annually reminded of the tragedy of war, and remember those who gave their time, health and lives for their country and for the cause of freedom.
 
Surely a morning without shopping is not too much of a sacrifice for us to give to those who sacrificed everything for us. 

Shopping dosn't honour sacrifice

By Rick Bell - Calgary Sun, May 1, 2010

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.

Then again, in Alberta, you can just go shopping.

Yes, some places in Canada shut their stores the whole of Remembrance Day.

Other spots, at the very least, don’t allow malls and other retail outlets to open until the early afternoon, 12:30 or 1 p.m. It is such a no-brainer.

A Wildrose MLA is now proposing to do the same here.

Laws in Nova Scotia and Manitoba, for example, begin by stating the country’s “heritage of freedom has been preserved through the unselfish devotion of those who sacrificed health, limb and life itself” and further say people should pay “grateful tribute to the memory of those who have died and cherish those who have suffered grievous injury.”

So to respect the solemn silence marking the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, and to give those who have to work but wish to attend a Remembrance Day service the opportunity to do so and get back to the job, the times for stores to swing open their doors on Nov. 11 could be set at noon or, more likely, 12:30 or 1 p.m.

It is a small gesture but it would be noticed.

Recent Remembrance Day stories in Alberta, those including morning lineups for sales and people shopping without a second’s stop at 11 a.m., often include a veteran who can’t believe a change in the law hasn’t happened here.

Unfortunately, in Alberta, a province touting itself as supporting the military, it takes a while for the obvious to sink in. Remember the provincial veteran licence plate debate?

At first, the Tory government nixed the notion.

The vets sent a request to the transportation boss of the day, Ed Stelmach, who shipped the letter to licence plate minister Dave Coutts whose job was to come up with reasons the plate wouldn’t work.

Coutts told the veterans it would cost too much and cops would find it hard to read the plate.

After some arm-twisting, including from this scribbler and newspaper, the provincial government started thinking right and Alberta now has a veteran licence plate.

This time, we start with a spokesperson for Service Alberta. He says it’s not something the department is looking at and he’s not sure it’s the department’s responsibility.

Go to the justice department. It’s not their job. Move to municipal affairs. Not them. It’s end up with local governments and that doesn’t work because you get shopping in one place and not the other and the complaints roll in about levelling the playing field for retailers.

The provincial route is the best one. Enter Rob Anderson, Wildrose MLA for Airdrie-Chestermere.

Rob wants the Stelmach government to act. If necessary, he is willing to bring forward a private member’s bill or motion on the issue.

Again, it shouldn’t have to come to that. This spring, a Tory MLA presented the idea of naming a provincial mushroom and got support from his colleagues.

Rob mentions the passing of Canada’s last First World War vet and the Canadian casualties on many battlefields, including Afghanistan.

“We need to take time to honour those who sacrificed everything for our freedom,” says Anderson.

“It’s a very appropriate way to have ourselves and our children never forget. It’s not a lot to ask when, even right now, we have people leaving their family to go over to Afghanistan and giving their time, their commitment and sometimes their life.

“Remembrance Day is the ultimate state holiday, it specifically remembers those who sacrificed themselves for their country.”
Philip MacAulay, president of the No. 1 Legion in Calgary, calls this effort “a very worthwhile cause.”

“Unfortunately, we are sometimes our own worst enemy. We’re Canadians. We’re pretty laid back. Even with the legion, we don’t push the politicians or anyone else hard enough. We don’t want to be pushy. We just take it.”

Let’s not take it this time.

Anderson bristles at the mention some will think keeping shops closed on Remembrance Day morning is a sacrifice.

“Compared to the sacrifice we ask from those who serve, how can we even use the word sacrifice for something as small as this?” asks the MLA.

We can’t.