Every week Kevin publishes his very own “Kev’s Column” online. This week he reacts to the murder of two Canadian soldiers and a gun battle at the heart of Canada’s Parliament Building:
The video of a gun battle in the heart of Canada’s Parliament building, plus the sight of medics trying to save the life of a soldier shot on the steps of the nation’s War Memorial, following the murder of another soldier in Montreal earlier this week, have shocked the world, yet I know this terrorist act will not succeed.
In the week when the Poppy Appeal is being launched across Britain to remember those who gave their lives defending our freedoms, we are again reminded of the threat that exists today. Whatever anyone’s view on the current situation in Syria and Iraq ballots, not bullets, should decide how the western democracies respond.
The image that most perfectly sums up the situation this week is the Editorial Cartoon produced by the Chronicle Herald, a Canadian newspaper. A portion of it is shown above and you can see the full version by clicking here.
For more than a century when freedom has been threatened Canadians have answered the call to defend it. The memorial where Corporal Cirillo was shot remembers the men who feel in the two World Wars, including those who fought alongside one of my Great-Grandfathers, Patrick Henry Griffin, who joined the Canadian Army due to his Irish roots. A permanent guard of honour is in place at the memorial, symbolising how the nation as a whole stands on guard for the values it represents.
In the bay we owe a great deal to the Canadian men who crossed the Atlantic during World War 2 to fight alongside our forces. Many who left the beauty of Canada to take part in the war against Facism did not return home, their enduring legacy is the democratic way of life we enjoy today. In the darkest days of 1940, as Hitler prepared an invasion force in France & other nations remained neutral, Canadians stood on the shores of Britain ready to fight the forces of Nazi Germany if they attempted an invasion.
It is therefore right that in the 21st century we stand with Canada in this hour of pain and join those saluting the Sergeant at Arms and security forces who when faced with terrorism did not run and hide, but put themselves at risk protecting the lives and freedoms of others. The Canadian National Anthem includes: “We stand on guard for thee”, words that could not be more apt at this time.
Given how Canadians have always stood up to those who wish to replace freedom with fear we can have no doubt that whatever result the gunman hoped to achieve, the actual outcome will be the exact opposite.