It's been 100 years since the guns began firing in the First World War.
When Germany invaded Belgium on Aug. 4, 1914, Great Britain declared war on Germany. By virtue of our legal status as a British dominion, their war was our war and, in the five years that followed, Canada gave dearly.
With more than 620,000 men and women serving as soldiers, nurses and chaplains, Canada contributed a higher percentage of its population to the effort than any of its allies. Roughly half of those who served were casualties; 250,000 Canadians were wounded and 67,000 were killed.
We welcome the memorial placed in Cates Park with the blessing of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation this past weekend. Remembrance in Jade is a fitting monument and Cates Park is a fine place to reflect.
The longer these awful battles drift into the past, the greater the risk they will be forgotten.
As a culture today, we busy ourselves with our careers and what to do on the weekend. We need to be reminded of the sacrifices that resulted in the peace and freedom we enjoy.
Other generations have not been so lucky. And other nations today aren't so lucky. Though it was called "the war to end all wars," the deafening bellow of gunfire has scarcely taken a break since.
Those who challenge the rationale for going to war are sometimes ostracized or even accused of treason. Patriotism and nationalism rear their heads - precisely what led to the Great War.
But perhaps the best memorial we can offer to those who died in war is to preserve peace.
