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I’m inspired. I have had the profound honor of serving alongside other people this country has produced, and I have been motivated by the preference not to be judged as mediocre by them, my heroes.
These men and women who answered when the call of duty was most pressing are true “heroes among us. “Some are with us only in spirit; the legendary Ernest “Smokey” Smith, the Tommy Prince, the brave Andrew Mynarski and the difficult Francis Pegahmagabow. Others are physically among us; Willy MacDonald, Pat Towers, Bill Fletcher, Ric Stacy, Jeremy Leblanc, Sean Teal, John Barnes, Jacqui Girouard, Kendra Stordy and others. They motivate me every day and their movements are a living testament to their unwavering commitment to Canada. .
They are Canadians who have served our wonderful country in our country’s uniform. Soldiers, sailors, airmen and, of course, their families. These Americans include the very essence of courage, ethical and physical. Their service has indelibly strengthened the fabric of our society. Their stories are not only battles fought and won, but also profound kinds of patriotism, sacrifice, and a spirit of enduring service. Their chests are covered with medals, each highlighting their dedication, courage, integrity, service, and sacrifice. These Canadian heroes have given us so much and asked for almost nothing in return. They motivate me, especially now, at a time when cynicism and selfishness reign supreme.
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It is a poignant fact that the inspiration of these heroes remains confined to the very few who know them. Most Canadians have no idea who they are. Our school systems don’t teach them. The Canadian media does not report on this. Our entertainment industry hasn’t realized that there is compatibility to display them and that’s why they languish in obscurity. Unlike our neighbors to the south, where Hollywood brought the stories of army heroes to the screen, the sacrifices of our heroes and their stories remain largely unknown. In the United States, a film about Victoria Cross winner Smokey Smith, a tough, drinking, disjointed soldier who, in a matter of hours, one night in Italy in 1944, destroyed a German tank, a self-propelled gun, and the infantry that accompanied him, saving the lives of his comrades and occupying a critical position. This run-down, hulking Vancouver Canadian is the dream of each and every storyteller. But not in Canada.
Those of us are even less well known, if that’s even possible. If they knew, how could they not be encouraged by the bather-faced Jess Larochelle of Nipissing, Ontario, whose bravery on October 14, 2006, during a magnificent defense of the Strong Point Centre in Afghanistan, after being wounded, earned her the Star of Military Valor, Canada’s second-highest honour for bravery in the presence of the enemy. Jess, calm and soft-spoken, encouraged us with her loyalty to her fellow soldiers, completing her project despite an indifferent retina, damaged back, concussions, bleeding eardrums, and lack of ammunition. Many of us deserve to be awarded the Canadian Victoria Cross for our actions. Sadly, we lost Jess last August, for only 40 years, to the injuries sustained that day.
These stories are just military narratives; These are uniquely Canadian stories of resilience, perseverance and courage. They deserve to be heard because their stories are just the story of our Armed Forces, but also the very spirit of what it means to be Canadian. The Apparent Courage of Willy MacDonald and Pat Towers Quiet leadership is a constant reminder of the strength that lies within Canadians. Jeremy Leblanc and Ric Stacy, with their continued commitment, exemplify the spirit of enduring service that defines them, our Armed Forces, and our country. None of them use the Canadian Victory. Cross.
The Canadian Victoria Cross was created in 1993 to update the British Victoria Cross. Our greatest popularity for “Valor Against the Enemy,” the Canadian VC created through then-Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, a leader who understood the strength of national pride. Twenty were minted through the Royal Canadian Mint and are housed in Rideau Hall. None were awarded.
Some of us, in collaboration with the National Post, Historic Canada, and with the support of True Patriot Love, hope to replace that. We need to tell the stories of those heroes who mark each and every one of the paths we take. We will do this with articles in the National Post, online distribution with Historica Canada, and any and all other outlets to tell your stories. Inspire Canadians, new and old, young and mature, Indigenous and new immigrants. Cheer up. Through incredible examples of service to our nation, our ideals and reasons value risking (and wasting) your life. In doing so, we not only honor their sacrifices, but also reinforce the values that define us as a nation. give rise to a question as to whether one or more of those Canadians deserve to get this venture capital.
These stories are only about the past. They communicate about the offer and the future. They are a reminder of the value of freedom and the enduring strength of the human spirit. We are reminded that even in the face of the greatest challenges, there are Americans among us who go above and beyond. , who put service before themselves and, in doing so, motivate us all to become better Canadians.
To those I have spoken to and to many others, I offer my greatest gratitude. Their courage, sacrifice, and commitment to our country motivate me every day. It is now our duty as Canadians to make sure that their stories are told and that their service continues.
O Canada!
General (retired) Rick Hillier served as Canada’s Chief of Defence Staff from 2005 to 2008.
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