Dear Editor:

As the Wing Operations Officer of the largest CF-18 base in Canada, I deal with the thoughts and memories of Remembrance Day on a regular basis.  

I remember as a young pilot viewing Remembrance Day as a mandatory event that I would have rather skipped.  

People were sad, a big chunk of the participants were old, and it had nothing to do with my life’s dream of flying, and therefore did not rank very high on my lists of priorities.

I view Remembrance Day in an entirely different light after three significant events transpired in my life:

1.  Very unfortunately, I have spent more time than I would like to admit burying friends and colleges.  

Everyone one of them was special and contributed to our freedoms in a way that most will never see.

They are the invisible and most never will wear medals or be publicly honoured for what they did.  

For them, I need to remember.

2.  While living in Europe, I was able to attend two Battlefield Tours, covering areas of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.  

In each case, I was astounded at the level of professionalism and renown that our soldiers displayed while fighting for the freedom of the

western world.  I never knew them, but the life I have and the freedom I have is owed to them.  

They are the unknown and most will never be thanked by our generation for what they did.  

For them, I need to remember.

3.  I have been to Afghanistan three times over the past four years.  

We fought for the freedom of the Afghani people to choose their own path to follow, and for the protection of our people here at home.  

The enemy was often hidden and indistinguishable from our friends, and we paid the cost for our efforts.  

I was told time and time again that the Canadians were the best of the best, and that we did more good than people back at home will ever know.  

I stood on the ramp at Kandahar many times, saying farewell to Canadian and NATO soldiers who were returning home for the last time, only to watch the outpouring of support on the highway to Toronto upon arrival in Canada.  

Politics were irrelevant to the support, it was all for our troops doing what we asked them to do.  

They were all younger than me.  

They are the sons and daughters who now carry the torch in harms way for all of us at home.

I never commanded them, but they fought for me as well.  

For them, I also need to remember.

It is not the writer who gives us freedom of the press.  

It is not the orator who gives us freedom of speech.  

It is not the church who gives us freedom of religion.

It is not the demonstrator who gives us freedom of assembly.  

In each case, it is the soldier.

It is the soldier who salutes the flag, allows the demonstrator to burn the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag.

I have grown up a lot during my career, and have gained a lot of wisdom.  

If I could pass on one piece of advice it would be that we need to encourage our folks to take time each year to remember.  

When we are young, we often don’t understand, so it is by the efforts of our leaders that we pass on why we pause, lay a wreath, and spend time in silence.  

Life is too noisy and we need to actively pursue the education of those around us.  

And if you don’t think people are watching, just remember the saying, “I can’t hear what you are saying over the sound of your actions.”  

Actions do speak louder than words.

I know that there will be a time that I stand before God and give account for my actions, and in this case, my silence, and want God to know that I took time to honour those special people who have given everything for me and my family.

Lt. Col. Robert Carter

Wing Operations Officer

4 Wing Cold Lake, Alta.