Freedom to carry the torch

The Olympic torch is making its way across the country on a 45,000 km journey and, as expected, it has encountered some protests and opposition along the way. I wonder if those protesting will remember this week that they owe the right to protest to another torch that John McCrae wrote about in 1915.

In his touching poem, In Flanders Fields, he included the lines: “Take up our quarrel with the foe; to you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high.”

The torch he was passing was the torch of freedom; freedom from persecution, freedom from want, and among others, the freedom of speech. In so many other countries, such protests are met by clubs, hoses and possibly death, but because so many fought and died for our freedom we can assemble and say our piece.

No doubt some of those protesting are paid to be there and will show up at any protest if the money is right. I think the only thing worse than fighting for a lost cause is fighting for no cause at all, and how hollow their victories must feel.

Recently, I came across my uncle’s pay book from his time in England in 1942. As a member of the Edmonton Fusiliers, he received $1.30 a day to secure our freedom, and he and so many others volunteered to be there.

But McCrae asks us to ‘hold it high’ and I’m sure by that he meant that we must respect what were given and not to abuse the privilege or take it for granted. It was never intended that one individual or group should exercise their freedom at the expense or suffering of others His torch was not passed along on a clean city street with security on either side. It was passed from foxhole to foxhole, it was slipped under the barbed wire and passed up to the turrets on the tanks and then held high as it was passed up to the cockpits of the fighter planes.

Last June, MLA Mary Polak, in recognition of my volunteerism, put my name forward as an Olympic torch bearer. I am incredibly proud that I was selected and next February, a few days before the opening ceremonies, I will run my designated 300 metres.

I will be running in support and encouragement of the Olympic athletes, the young people who represent our future. I will run for all the other volunteers, past and present, whom I have worked with shoulder to shoulder in the many fundraising efforts held in this amazing community.

But I will also be holding the torch high in recognition of so many who gave so much and passed on to me the freedom to take part in such an auspicious celebration. As much as we celebrate now and look to the future we must never forget what we might have lost, and that is why we gather at our cenotaphs next Wednesday.

“If ye break faith with us who die we shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders fields.” Remember to set aside some time next week and say thank you.

Some readers may not be comfortable that I have linked the Olympics to Remembrance Day and I respect their opinion. But I am excited about next February. After all, Canada is one of my old flames and I’ve been carrying a torch for her for years. At least that’s what McGregor says.

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