Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful, most likely forgotten, piece of Canadian history.
Our nation's flag is one of the most beautiful, recognizable in the world.
As I was born in 1967 on June 30, the day before the centennial, I feel a lot of pride and privilege for being a product in this great nation. When I was a young boy growing up, my father always told me that the Canada Day Parade was just for me, which was a bit corky; but it never failed to fill my heart with pride and belonging.
John Matheson was indeed a great Canadian. Thank you for sharing his wonderful speech. Some key excerpts that really struck a chord with me are the following:
- "there is no better way of discovering one's attachment to this country than by absence."
This one means a lot to me. I left Canada in 2008 and came back in 2021. That was a long, 13-year, absence which really opened my eyes about what makes this nation great, what had changed, and what still needs to be healed. The one thing that struct me the most upon my return was the level of hatred and division. I could barely recognize the country I had left so long ago and was greatly saddened by its change of mood.
- "Without truth there can be no other virtue."
- "The truth we seek is greater than any single mind can grasp, amorphous and elusive as the Holy Grael, a prize sought for as long as there is life."
- "Courage is the fibre of the soul enabling it to see the truth and confess it."
- "Faith is greater than doubt and love stronger than hate."
These words of wisdom still resonate with great vibrancy and meaning today, as we face numerous and complex challenges. They serve as kind reminders from our courageous veterans who fought so valiantly to uphold and defend our often-taken-for-granted freedoms.
Let us hope are country will move forward with such values of truth, courage, and faith going forward. And that Canada can serve as a uniter around the globe, lest we forget what it really means to be Canadian and what our fallen fought for.
Outstanding article Erin! My uncle, Joseph Brennan long since passed away was wounded in that battle of Ortona. Happy flag day!
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful, most likely forgotten, piece of Canadian history.
Our nation's flag is one of the most beautiful, recognizable in the world.
As I was born in 1967 on June 30, the day before the centennial, I feel a lot of pride and privilege for being a product in this great nation. When I was a young boy growing up, my father always told me that the Canada Day Parade was just for me, which was a bit corky; but it never failed to fill my heart with pride and belonging.
John Matheson was indeed a great Canadian. Thank you for sharing his wonderful speech. Some key excerpts that really struck a chord with me are the following:
- "there is no better way of discovering one's attachment to this country than by absence."
This one means a lot to me. I left Canada in 2008 and came back in 2021. That was a long, 13-year, absence which really opened my eyes about what makes this nation great, what had changed, and what still needs to be healed. The one thing that struct me the most upon my return was the level of hatred and division. I could barely recognize the country I had left so long ago and was greatly saddened by its change of mood.
- "Without truth there can be no other virtue."
- "The truth we seek is greater than any single mind can grasp, amorphous and elusive as the Holy Grael, a prize sought for as long as there is life."
- "Courage is the fibre of the soul enabling it to see the truth and confess it."
- "Faith is greater than doubt and love stronger than hate."
These words of wisdom still resonate with great vibrancy and meaning today, as we face numerous and complex challenges. They serve as kind reminders from our courageous veterans who fought so valiantly to uphold and defend our often-taken-for-granted freedoms.
Let us hope are country will move forward with such values of truth, courage, and faith going forward. And that Canada can serve as a uniter around the globe, lest we forget what it really means to be Canadian and what our fallen fought for.
An outstanding piece. Thank you Erin O'Toole