BY KEN JACKSON
SPECIAL TO THE DRIFTWOOD
I was taken aback last week to be reminded it’s been 10 years since Corp. Nathan Cirillo was senselessly killed while performing honorary guard duty at Canada’s National War Memorial in Ottawa.
When I first heard the story, I remember my horror and disbelief that this volunteer reservist had been gunned down by a stranger with mental health issues for reasons unknown. As I was also a volunteer reservist, I could only imagine how proud Nathan, his family and his regiment were to have that opportunity to serve the country he loved. In his honour, it was the first year I marched with the Salt Spring veterans in our local parade.
Having the opportunity over the years since then to broaden my participation in Remembrance- related activities here on the island, I’ve led past poppy campaigns, organized Remembrance Day activities and veterans luncheons, attended the extraordinarily special services at Gulf Islands Secondary School and been a welcome observer to the efforts of the Ganges Community Cemetery board with their No Stone Left Alone and Last Post projects at the cemetery beside The Fritz theatre.
Last year’s efforts took a heavy mental and physical toll on me, though I was buoyed by the community’s phenomenal support in making those efforts some of the island’s best. I have been humbled by the stories that have been shared with me, and the appreciation for my efforts that’s been expressed to me by so many. I commend this year’s volunteers for continuing and, in some cases, rebuilding the complex web of so many important activities. I know that despite how much was done, I always regretted not doing more.
The good side of that is knowing there’s always another year and, with that, unlimited opportunity to get involved to help or create new projects and gestures of Remembrance, at the least by participating in the opportunities that exist here on Salt Spring this year.
Here are some of the ways for everyone to demonstrate their sense of Remembrance:
Wear Your Poppy: This simple act tells those around you that you remember. A donation is welcome, but I believe it is a much more important statement to be seen in the community wearing one.
Attend Remembrance Day Service: Salt Spring has proven to me that, rain or shine, there is a proud showing of all ages in the community. That’s an incredibly powerful message of support to the diminishing number of veterans we see marching, the families of those veterans and those no longer with us. And to Canada’s more recent veterans who are less visible living here on the island with us, don’t forget the Legion’s open house afterwards.
Visit the Ganges Community Cemetery: From Nov. 1st through at least the 11th, special veterans markers will again be placed by the island’s Pathfinders on the growing number of grave sites identified as belonging to veterans buried there. It is a truly humbling sight to behold – simple and poignant and a powerful statement of Remembrance to “ours.” Clusters of white markers across the lawn evoke images of veteran cemeteries abroad for the many who did not return.
Visit the What These Eyes Have Seen – Witness to War Exhibition at ArtSpring: The exhibition runs from Wednesday, Nov. 6 through Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Free admission. This Salt Spring-based photo exhibition is a collection of 27 veteran portraits taken by local photographer Alan Bibby over the past 13 years, many at our island’s Remembrance services. These and other powerful donated images of the island’s veterans will be on display with precious local memorabilia loaned by the Salt Spring Archives, Salt Spring Museum and others in the community. Come and see it, and add to the collection of living memories that will help keep our community’s commitment to Remembrance alive.
Share a memory: Something everyone can do. Share your memory or story about a veteran in your life to keep their memory alive. Be proud to share and take time to listen to someone sharing with you to honour their memory. Find comfort in sharing.
Lest we forget. Lest we forget.