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OPINION We will never forget Why should we remember on Nov. 11th? We remember because between 1899 and 1902 approximately 7,000 of our nation's soldiers served in the South Africa War; 267 gave their lives in battle. We remember because in the First World War (191418)-- by far the bloodiest conflict in which our country has ever been involved-- about 650,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Nearly one out of of every nine-- a total of 69,000-- didn't survive. We remember because in the Second World War (1939-45), one million troops from Canada's armed forces waged war on the sea, in the air and on land to strike down the systematic genocide of the Holocaust. More than 47,000 of these soldiers never saw their loved ones again. We remember because during the Korean War (195053) nearly 28,000 Canadians served in the Canadian Army Special Force with 516 paying the ultimate sacrifice. We also remember because in 59 years of Canadian peacekeeping missions, more than 150,000 Canadians have served abroad, with 155 losing their lives-- including 42 alone in Canada's four-year mission in Afghanistan. All tolled, our nation has sacrificed more than 117,200 of its sons and daughters in the name of freedom and peace. We should remember because in the last 107 years more than 1.8-million Canadians have voluntarily put their lives in jeopardy in an attempt to bring peaceful conclusions to global conflicts. We remember those who died on the field of battle; we remember those wounded in action; we remember those scarred psychologically by having witnessed the carnage, the inhumanity and the horror. We remember their bravery. We remember their sacrifice. We remember that it is because of them that we enjoy one of the best standards of living in the world and live in a nation free from war in our own backyard. With all but a handful of Canada's First World War veterans gone and more than 200,000 living Second World War veterans unlikely to be with us a generation from now, few children born today are likely to have an opportunity to meet a living veteran from the two largest conflicts Canadians have fought in. While it would be naive of us to expect a world free of conflict, it is essential we remember these past battles so that we never lose sight of war's toll on humankind. It is our duty to honour our ancestors' sacrifice, by promising we will never forget. Steve Nease LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear PM: Leave God out of your speeches This is an open letter to our Prime Minister Stephen Harper, filed with The Independent Free Press for publication. Dear Prime Minister, I think it prudent to drop the phrase " God Bless Canada" , you have been using lately to end all of your rousing speeches. Your pal George Bush and "God Bless America" is not exactly a role model to emulate. If this god is the same one that most religions look up and pray to, I don't believe you have much of a shot at having god bless Canada. What with the millions of Muslims praying five times a day, -- the terrorists blessing themselves just before they blow themselves and many innocent other prayers up, and the Christians doing it on Sundays and through the week when they feel the need for a little extra extra something, whew !-- this god must be overwhelmed with requests coming in at millions and millions of times a second. So what chance do you think you have of having us blessed ? Beside I don't think many citizens really know what it really means to be blessed. Could it be you are a little indifferent to most of Canada's citizens who are mostly secular ? Or are you just playing up to the group that helped get you on your way, something like "pray back time" and hope the rest of us don't notice? In any event I must confess I tried it myself when I was young and naive with the same ambiguous results so I think it's just a meaningless and some what demeaning phrase, best left south of the border where it doesn't seem to work either. Wm. Pomeroy Norval Something bugging you? Send us a letter! Letters to the editor must include an address and daytime telephone number. Unsigned letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 200 words and may be edited for content and/or length. Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1 E-mail: jmcghie@independentfreepress.com UCHS bids farewell to two founding board members Dear editor, Recently the Upper Credit Humane Society took a look back at the past, and then turned and looked into the future-- the main reason for this action at this time is that the founding members of the Society, Robert and Anne Burr, have decided after much soul searching to resign their positions on the board and other committees and enter private life. The original name of the Upper Credit Humane Society was the Erin, Hillsburgh and District Humane Society. It was founded as a branch of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (O.S.P.C.A) in 1991. The founding members were a group of local citizens concerned about the welfare of animals. In 1995, the name was changed to Upper Credit Humane Society (UCHS) and the Society became an independent affiliate of the OSPCA Operations of the UCHS are overseen by an elected board of directors. Robert and Anne were instrumental in the birth and childhood of the organization, and their love and dedication to the welfare of all animals, domesticated and wild was, and is, unsurpassed. Over the years, they served the Society in many capacities. Robert was well known in the community as he went about his duties in Animal Control with faithful Sam (his Husky/Shepherd) by his side, he served as chairman of the board and later many years as general manager of the Society. Anne was also well known in the community with her unwavering dedication to all animals and especially the cats, kitten foster program, wildlife rescue were among just a few "irons in the fire". The Burrs lent their expertise to all areas of the work of the Humane Society and saw the fruition of their personal dream come true when the Shelter opened in March 2003...(over 1,311 animals have been adopted since that date alone). Robert and Anne have left their mark on the Society and community at large, and can leave us remembering that without their commitment and dedication to the UCHS for such an extended period of time so many animals would not have been rehabilitated. Lucky were the animals that had Robert and Anne in their court. The Upper Credit Humane Society, Board of Directors, staff and volunteers and I am sure, the community at large all join us in wishing them the very best for the future. Board of Directors, staff and volunteers Upper Credit Humane Society