Words almost fail me. Yes, you read
that right. Words do not come easy to me on the topic of Canada and
Afghanistan. Amidst the still fresh news about next month’s election, the
fledgling 4th wave of the pandemic, the anxiety associated with the
safety of students starting school soon, the incessant news about destructive
wildfires throughout Canada, the resounding continuation of despair and loss
associated with colonialism and racism, and the opiod crisis amongst other
topics of despondency, I hang my head and try to comprehend our involvement in
Afghanistan.
According to The Canadian Encyclopedia (TCE), Canada sent over 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members to Afghanistan during our 12-year war with the Taliban. TCE records that the war killed 165 Canadians — 158 soldiers and 7 civilians and over 2000 received physical wounds. Scores and scores of Canadian veterans, TCE recounts, came back home from the horror of war in Afghanistan suffering from post-traumatic stress injuries. Our soldiers, our neighbours, friends, and family members were involved in the war in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014 and the Taliban recently took back the country in a few meagre months.
My head droops further.
Emotions run rampant inside me. I knew folks that served there. I have read of how those who returned are continuing to suffer from post-traumatic stress injuries and how oh so many have subsequently taken their own lives.
Retired Maj.-Gen. David Fraser said in a recent Global News interview that “he still remembers each life lost while he was leading the forces — 35 Canadians, 79 members of the broader coalition fighting contingent. When asked what he would say now to the families of those who died serving, as well as to those who sacrificed their lives in the war, he did not hesitate.” “You did what you were asked to do. Politicians sent you, but you gave it your heart and your soul to try to provide hope and opportunity to people who didn’t have it — that we take for granted,” he said. In the same interview Fraser said “I think each and every one of us will ask ourselves the question for years to come: was it worth it?”
Amidst the sickening details of so-called ‘news’, I challenge someone, anyone, to make sense of it all. If there is anything that can be done, in the next wee while, it is to challenge the political machinations of the heretofore ruling parties that have plagued Canada since Confederation and before hand. We must look inward and outward and realise that the status quo of political ‘to-ing and fro-ing’ has not worked. We must seek out a new political framework that will strive to meaningfully address climate change, the wretched aftermath of colonialism and racism and one that does not support violence of any kind.
It is the meaningless violence that makes my head hang in despair and shame. Violence against our Earth, against our environment, our air, our water, our land – indeed against us, our children and grandchildren – against people.
With the passage of time, my head will straighten up. I will not remain stooped. For Canadians, of all creeds, colours, and origins, despair regarding the so-called ‘news’ over the past couple of weeks, must be replaced with hope and the pursuit of peace and reconciliation. These things must be seen and calmly held high as our collective mantle. Indeed, these efforts, for the benefit of generations to come, will surely be worth it.
According to The Canadian Encyclopedia (TCE), Canada sent over 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members to Afghanistan during our 12-year war with the Taliban. TCE records that the war killed 165 Canadians — 158 soldiers and 7 civilians and over 2000 received physical wounds. Scores and scores of Canadian veterans, TCE recounts, came back home from the horror of war in Afghanistan suffering from post-traumatic stress injuries. Our soldiers, our neighbours, friends, and family members were involved in the war in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014 and the Taliban recently took back the country in a few meagre months.
My head droops further.
Emotions run rampant inside me. I knew folks that served there. I have read of how those who returned are continuing to suffer from post-traumatic stress injuries and how oh so many have subsequently taken their own lives.
Retired Maj.-Gen. David Fraser said in a recent Global News interview that “he still remembers each life lost while he was leading the forces — 35 Canadians, 79 members of the broader coalition fighting contingent. When asked what he would say now to the families of those who died serving, as well as to those who sacrificed their lives in the war, he did not hesitate.” “You did what you were asked to do. Politicians sent you, but you gave it your heart and your soul to try to provide hope and opportunity to people who didn’t have it — that we take for granted,” he said. In the same interview Fraser said “I think each and every one of us will ask ourselves the question for years to come: was it worth it?”
Amidst the sickening details of so-called ‘news’, I challenge someone, anyone, to make sense of it all. If there is anything that can be done, in the next wee while, it is to challenge the political machinations of the heretofore ruling parties that have plagued Canada since Confederation and before hand. We must look inward and outward and realise that the status quo of political ‘to-ing and fro-ing’ has not worked. We must seek out a new political framework that will strive to meaningfully address climate change, the wretched aftermath of colonialism and racism and one that does not support violence of any kind.
It is the meaningless violence that makes my head hang in despair and shame. Violence against our Earth, against our environment, our air, our water, our land – indeed against us, our children and grandchildren – against people.
With the passage of time, my head will straighten up. I will not remain stooped. For Canadians, of all creeds, colours, and origins, despair regarding the so-called ‘news’ over the past couple of weeks, must be replaced with hope and the pursuit of peace and reconciliation. These things must be seen and calmly held high as our collective mantle. Indeed, these efforts, for the benefit of generations to come, will surely be worth it.
Originally published in the
North Renfrew Times – 18 August 2021
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