EDITORIAL: Lest we forget
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For 64 years, Marney Ellis has kept a special place in her heart for her beloved uncle, Royal Canadian Air Force pilot Elvie McCutcheon.
But this week, she decided to share her proud memories of the man who grew up on a Richmond farm and sacrificed his life during World War II.
During a bombing raid in Germany just three months short of the war’s end, McCutcheon was piloting a military bomber when it was struck by enemy fire, and was set ablaze.
Laden with bombs, the flaming craft was no longer airworthy and McCutcheon ordered his crew to abandon ship, and as a brave captain does, he made sure everyone else was out before he left his plane.
Sadly, as recalled by the plane’s communications officer who was the second-last to jump, it exploded just as McCutcheon was stepping out.
For Ellis, appreciating and respecting the sacrifices of war veterans has been easy.
Her husband is a veteran too, and she’s kept newspaper articles, and framed military memorabilia and pictures of her uncle’s life.
But as the number of World War II veterans slowly dwindles, there will be fewer and fewer people around to share their memories of lives lost and futures unfulfilled.
Will future generations really understand what it took to keep Canada free from tyranny?
Thankfully, people like Marney Ellis are still around to keep the memories alive and remind us of those people who are no longer alive, but played an equally important role in what we enjoy everyday.
We have freedom, the very foundation of life in Canada, thanks to brave young men like Elvie McCutcheon.
He did Richmond proud.
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