Dear editor,

On Wednesday, Nov. 11, our local communities will be witness to several observances of Remembrance Day. In recent years, I have observed two very startling things when I have attended these observances.

One is the numbers of our older veterans are diminishing as they move on to their last post. The other is the decreasing numbers of the younger public to join together at this moment to honour and remember those who devoted their lives for this country we love so dearly. The one slow disappearance is understandable, the other is more disheartening.

So, with this letter I hope to encourage all of you to take a pittance of time on Nov. 11 to pause from your daily routines, your classes, your shopping or whatever would keep you from attending your community observance, and remember those men and women who have done so much for us all. It is only for a brief time out of your day, and only one day out of the year.

It doesn’t matter what a person’s views are about wars or peace, nationalism or world visions. The service and sacrifice given to us did not have any barriers or restrictions. The fact remains that we have certain freedoms that have been protected by these men and women through the years, and for that we must, as a growing society, pay homage to.

Let us show our sense of community values and take the time to stand in the cold as they have done in years past, to put up with the wind and rain as they have in the past, and to show your gratitude to your country as they have done in the past.

If you do not know where an observance is in your area, contact your local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Or simply pause and reflect for two minutes at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11.

Lewis Bartholomew,

Courtenay

Editor’s note: Mr. Bartholomew is the project director of the Alberni Project.