BENEDICTION OF RABBI REUVEN P. BULKA
Honourary Chaplain, Dominion Command, Royal Canadian Legion
Nous sommes ici pour nous souvenir et teamone. We remember the supreme sacrifice that so many Canadians made, and were ready to make, on land, in the air, at sea; the dead, the wounded, the survivors, the war widows - Anglophones, Francophones, natives, members of a wide range of ethnic and religious communities, we laud and applaud these heroic Canadians.
Today, we hear the welcome expression - We support our troops. But that does not tell it all. More than mere support, what should be on our lips and in our hearts is - we love our troops. Let’s say it together - We love our troops.
We love our troops because of their selflessness. We love our troops because of their unswerving love of Canada. We love our troops because of their bravery and their dignity in combat. And we love our troops because through them, we gain a more vivid, vital appreciation of all the veterans who fought, on behalf of Canada, for global freedom.
The act of remembrance is the imperative to express unrelenting thanks to our heroic veterans. We love our troops, we love and venerate our veterans, who fought for a world of peace and harmony.
That fight continues, and Canadian resolve is unabated. We yearn for the safe return of our troops to a tranquil, harmonious Canada.
As the troops fought and fight for freedom, ours is the supreme responsibility to give meaning to that freedom, by embracing the language of respect, the language of inclusion, the language of harmony - to thereby build gentle, caring communities wherein everyone feels welcome, at home and appreciated. That is the Canadian way.
We love our veterans and the freedom we enjoy thanks to them. We remember, with everlasting gratitude, by giving meaning and substance to that freedom. Let us together soldier on toward that goal. And may God bless our sacred partnership. Amen.
Our thanks to The Royal Canadian Legion, Dominion Command, Ottawa for providing us with this Remembrance Day Benediction.