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•T he IF P• H al to n H ill s •T hu rs da y, N ov em be r 6 , 2 01 4 6 OPINION They are young and they are Canadian. They answer the nation's call and many are killed in conflicts far from home. That is until recently. They are Canadian soldiers. As Remembrance Day approaches this year, the reflection is deeper, and it should be, after the deaths of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Cpl. Nathan Cirillo by the hands of terrorists. As time passes, it's easy to forget the pain of war and conflict. Grainy black and white photos of French trenches can't impart the sacrifice individ- uals and a nation collectively endures during a time of conflict. However, that all changed recent- ly when Vincent and Cirillo were killed. The nation was rubbed raw and captivated by the events. However, a century ago hundreds of Canadians were killed daily in the First World War. By the time it was over 61,000 Canadian troops were dead. But it didn't end there. Another 45,000 were killed in The Second World War, followed by 1,558 in Korea and 158 in Afghanistan. Canadian sacrifice is not new but what appears new in light of the recent attacks is a fresh appre- ciation of the loss. Vincent and Cirillo had friends and family who loved them. They lived, laughed and loved -- just like their counterparts that served this country 100 years ago. Our freedom comes with a price and that price is the blood of our young Canadian men and women. Remember them. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. - John McCrae The Independent & Free Press is published Thursday and is one of sev- eral Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. 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The Independent & Free Press Remember the sacrifice Letters to the editor Would you give up civil liberties to increase security from terrorism? • No (61%) • Yes (39%) WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.theifp.ca) 905-873-0301 Publisher: Dana Robbins General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@theifp.ca) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@theifp.ca) Managing editor: Chris Vernon (cvernon@metroland.com) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@theifp.ca) Classifieds/Real Estate Kristie Pells (classified@theifp.ca or realestate@theifp.ca) Classified Call Centre 1-855-415-8237 haltonhillsclassads@metroland.com Accounting 1-866-773-6575 Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@theifp.ca) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@theifp.ca) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@theifp.ca) Get the latest headlines delivered to your inbox by signing up for our twice weekly electronic newsletter. Go to www.theifp.ca and click on 'Newsletter sign-up' at the bottom of the homepage. Re: Editorial, The people have spoken, Oct. 30. Your comment that voters like the direction the council has taken Halton Hills leaves me scratching my head. How are you able to reconcile this statement with the fact that other than the mayor not one single winning incumbent got more than 38 per cent of the vote. This means of course at least 62 per cent of the votes were cast against the incum- bent. Therefore more people than not wanted a change at the Town and a runoff to produce a true representa- tive of the people is in order. Also your comment all political stripes must work together to keep the agenda moving forward leaves me similarly aghast. If I am not mis- taken they are all tax and spend lib- erals. Not a single one of them ever uttered a word about cutting the tax burden on the local people. In my opinion they, council, have no agen- da to move forward without a man- date from the majority of people in Halton Hills. Mike Purvis, Georgetown The Georgetown Skating Club re- cently hosted the Skate Canada Cen- tral Ontario Sectionals Champion- ships at the Mold-Masters SportsPlex in Georgetown. It was a great success. We had some of the best skaters in the coun- try competing over the four day event. Some of these skaters will be repre- senting our country at a World Cham- pionship some day, and they will have come through our town to do it. I would like to take this opportu- nity to thank the following people who helped make this competition happen: The existing and former members of the Georgetown Skating Club, who volunteered a great deal of their time, their talents, and their support. The staff of the Mold-Masters Are- na who ensured the already impres- sive facility was ready to exceed the skaters' expectations. The Town of Halton Hills, for pro- viding a stunning host facility. Mayor Rick Bonnette, for his con- tinuing support of our club. And lastly, my colleagues at Skate Canada Central Ontario Section for their guidance and support to make the event run smoothly and profes- sionally. Craig Borotsik, Co-Chair Editorial missed the mark: reader Skate club says thanks a lot Letters must include the author's name, address and daytime phone number. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 150 words and may be edited for con- tent and/or length. Publication is not guaranteed. Email: cvernon@metroland.com Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 77, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. Letters policy