www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, November 6, 2015 | 6 F reedom is priceless. Our veterans, past and present, carry that knowledge and we should, too. They have risked, and do risk, their lives to defend it. On Remembrance Day, Nov. 11, it is time to remember, but it's much more. It's isn't just a moment of silence one day a year or a quiet prayer for those who are gone. It is about appreciating their sacri ces, made for our bene t, and learning from the past... indeed something we need to remember every day of the year. It is a time to feel pride for our country, for the values we, as a nation, hold dear and for the efforts of our ancestors and those who continue to make sacri ces today. We need to give thanks to our veterans because without them, we could be a very different country. They lost friends and family and far too many lost their lives. They fought and many died for freedom. We wear poppies near our hearts to demonstrate our veterans hold a special place in our hearts and we recognize we must never forget their effort. We remember the importance of all the contributions and sacri ces made, and the many lives lost, to secure and ensure our freedom today. In so honouring veterans and the day, we instill knowledge and respect in young Canadians. While the two World Wars are but a history lesson for young Canadians today, we should consider it a privilege to pay tribute to our veterans of those wars and all subsequent con icts. We must support those engaged in war and peacekeeping missions today, along with their families, and pray for their safe return home. And this, too, must be explained to our children. We enjoy living in a country that is peaceful and offers abundant opportunities, respect for all of its citizens and the freedom to live our lives. We are very lucky and we owe a debt we can never repay to those who gave their lives so we could be so fortunate. To all our service people, we offer you our deepest respect and sincerest thanks. We must never take for granted what our veterans accomplished. A `thank you' is not enough, but it's a start. The best we can hope to ever achieve in expressing our gratitude is when those few remaining World War veterans, or those engaged in maintaining peace today, look into the eyes of present and future generations and see respect and appreciation for the lives they enjoy today. Thank you. Lest we forget. We must remember freedom is priceless Editorial A N G E L S A T W O "Connected to your Community" R K 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 53 | Number 88 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production SANDY PARE MARK DILLS The Angel Ladies of St. John's United Church are making crafts to sell at the church's annual Christmas Bazaar set for Saturday, Nov. 28. Approximately 20 years ago, the craft group began making angels from donated handkerchiefs as decorations for the church Christmas tree, which is how the `Angel Ladies' originated. The group now works in a recently-revamped crafts room at the local church, thanks to a $25,000 grant from New Horizons for Seniors. Pictured, Carolyn Blakeley (left) and Shirley Thacker, an original `Angel Lady,' show off some of the handkerchief angels. | photo by Graham Paine Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Letter to the Editor Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Stop, give thanks and remember O Canada. Every year, as Nov. 11, Remembrance Day, appears on our calendars, it is impossible for me not to re ect on Canada as a country, our Dominion. Memories ood my thoughts of post-Second World War, our dear dad, Bill Holbrook, my many uncles, our granddad and family friends from the townships of both Oakville and Trafalgar. These men soldiered on through dif cult times, away from home with uncertainty at all corners. They fought so that all generations of Canadians might continue to have the right to freedom, opportunity and to live in a democratic society and to vote. This freedom to vote and freely choose was never more apparent than during the recent federal election. Many people were saddened by the outcome and others, overjoyed. No matter what your opinion of the recent political headlines, let's remember it is still our country and not just that of those in of ce. It is by the guiding hand of the citizens that we will endure, and together, let's make sure the strength of our nation still re ects the efforts of the Armed Forces, present... and past, those who served, fought and won, to keep us strong and free. On Nov. 11, at the 11th hour, no matter what you are doing, stop and give thanks, and remember. Cindy Kitching, Oakville Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 or via email to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. 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