Remembrance Day – Captain(N) Kevin Whiteside, Base Commander, CFB Esquimalt

We take pause to reflect on the courage, valour and sacrifice made by those who fought for this country, contributing to peace and stability around the world. This Remembrance Day I find myself struck by the advance of time and the diminishing numbers of those veterans still with us.

Two names come to mind.

Last April we lost Peter Godwin Chance, a veteran of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), at the age of 103. The history of Mr. Chance in many ways mirrors the RCN’s coming of age in the early part of the 20^th century – becoming a navigator at the start of the Second World War; experiencing the grim toll of convoy duty; and helping mount coastal operations in support of a fledgling United Nations during the Korean War.

Yet, during his memorial service, it was not his naval-combat exploits that his family and friends dwelled on but his life and service in peacetime founded on his mantra of being kind above all else. This was a lesson that Peter Chance took from years of war at sea – a generosity of spirit that he shared until his final hours.

That dedication to humanity was also embodied by John Hillman, who passed away last July at 105. Hillman, a veteran of the Royal Air Force, spent the last birthdays of his life walking hundreds of laps around the courtyard of his home in Oak Bay. In doing so, he raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity and, along the way, inspired people of all ages across Vancouver Island and beyond.

In times of both war and peace veterans, like Peter Chance and John Hillman, exemplify what it means to give of oneself to better the lives of many. On November 11^th, I will reflect on their service and on the sacrifices made by them and their fallen comrades who marched with that cause of freedom and hope.

I will also endeavour, as the poet John McCrae implored, to take the torch from them and hold it up high.

Lest we forget.