If you are the type who likes to sign up for online petitions please consider this one from the Dominion Institute.
We the undersigned feel enormous gratitude for the sacrifice made by all the Canadian Armed Forces through the ages in defence of this country and its values; acknowledge the very special nature of the sacrifice made by those who fought in the First World War in appalling conditions and with terrible loss of life; note that only three First World War veterans remain, and urge the Prime Minister that their sacrifice, and all of those they served with under arms from 1914-1918, be celebrated by offering a state funeral to the family of the last veteran of the First World War resident in Canada.
h/t Andrew Coyne
Comments (4)
I signed that petition myself.
Posted by James Bow
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November 9, 2006 3:05 PM
Posted on November 9, 2006 15:05
You know, part of me thinks this is agreat idea, but frankly I think in the end that while well-intentioned it is ultimately wrong-headed. I’ve got my poppy, I support our troops (yellow ribbon car magnet and all) and have spent this evening at a dinner with veterans as an act of remembrance and respect at my church hall, and it’s because of this that I say, as Kipling on the War Graves Commission did long before me, that all sacrifices must be equally valued and commemorated. Why elevate this one great man when over 600 thousand before him, and hundreds of thousands after him, have not been so honoured. It’s like the LPC playing games with the peace tower flag; it’s an honour that cuts against the grain of the equal dignity of all who have served and suffered for this nation. This passing might very well be commemorated and honoured in some way; this way, however, strikes me as invidious and a poor precedent. FWIW.
Posted by DMD | November 10, 2006 12:01 AM
Posted on November 10, 2006 00:01
Well, good point, DMD. My argument would be that this state funeral wouldn’t be for the man alone, but the 600,000 before him as well.
It’s the end of an era, and a big part of me thinks that a state funeral is a good way to mark it.
Posted by James Bow
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November 10, 2006 11:12 AM
Posted on November 10, 2006 11:12
James:
Fair enough. I don’t mean to extend a quarrel with people of good faith who wish to honour these men, just stating my own qualms with this one method for doing so.
All the best.
Posted by DMD | November 10, 2006 11:28 AM
Posted on November 10, 2006 11:28