Remembrance – mackaycartoons

Thursday June 6, 2024

June 6, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

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Animation by Graeme MacKay, Thursday June 6, 2024

D-Day at Eighty

June 6, 2019

As the world commemorates the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, we find ourselves reflecting not only on the monumental events of June 6, 1944, but also on the enduring significance of the sacrifices made by the Allied forces. For Canadians, this anniversary holds a profound place in our national consciousness, symbolizing both our country’s contribution to global peace and the enduring bonds with our allies.

June 6, 2014

This year’s ceremonies will see a distinguished assembly of world leaders and dignitaries converging on the beaches of Normandy. U.S. President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla will be among those paying tribute. From Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas-Taylor, and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will join in the commemorations, alongside 13 Canadian veterans aged 99 to 104. This gathering underscores the unity and shared purpose that defined the Allied efforts during World War II. The presence of these leaders not only honours those who fought but also reaffirms the commitment of their nations to the principles of freedom and democracy that were fiercely defended on the shores of Normandy. The inclusion of Indigenous youth performers from Manitoba, Grace Ginter and Mitchell Makoons, adds a poignant reminder of the diverse fabric of those who contributed to the war effort.

June 6, 2023

For Canadians, the story of D-Day is deeply personal. The 14,000 Canadian troops who stormed Juno Beach on that fateful day played a critical role in the success of Operation Overlord. Facing fierce resistance, they advanced further inland than any other Allied force, a testament to their bravery and determination. The cost was high: 359 Canadians lost their lives on D-Day, with many more wounded. These sacrifices were instrumental in the eventual liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation. This anniversary is not just about looking back; it is also about recognizing how the values and freedoms fought for on D-Day continue to shape our world. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew’s remarks capture this sentiment perfectly, highlighting how the foundations of modern human rights and democracy were forged in the crucible of World War II. The freedoms we cherish today—gender equality, the benefits of immigration, and the liberty to live as we choose—are legacies of the victory secured by those who fought on D-Day.

November 11, 2023

As we gather to honour these heroes, it is crucial to remember the individual stories of courage and sacrifice. Veterans like Jim Parks, who will be present at the ceremonies, remind us of the human faces behind the historic events. Parks, a 99-year-old veteran of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, will relive his landing on Juno Beach, thanks to the dedication of those who work tirelessly to preserve these memories. The ceremonies at Juno Beach and Omaha Beach, the wreath layings at significant sites such as the Royal Winnipeg Rifles monument and the Château d’Audrieu, and the smudging ceremony at l’Abbaye d’Ardenne, where many Canadians were executed, all serve to honour these personal sacrifices. These acts of remembrance ensure that the bravery and resilience displayed during the D-Day landings are never forgotten.

May 5, 2000

As we stand at the cusp of history, this 80th anniversary also serves as a call to future generations. The values upheld by the Allied forces—courage, unity, and a steadfast commitment to freedom—must continue to guide us. The presence of world leaders and the participation of young Canadians in these ceremonies highlight the importance of educating and inspiring the next generation to carry forward this legacy.

The 80th anniversary of D-Day is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by the Canadian forces and their allies. It is an opportunity to reflect on the profound impact of their bravery and to reaffirm our commitment to the principles they fought for. As we honour these heroes, we must ensure that their legacy lives on, guiding us towards a future of peace, freedom, and shared humanity.

Saturday November 11, 2023

November 11, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday November 11, 2023

“Remembering Sacrifice: Honouring the Past and Building a Peaceful Future”

May 5, 2000

On Remembrance Day, it is important to reflect on the conflicts currently happening worldwide and hold a strong desire for peace. The men and women we honour on this day understood things that we may not fully comprehend. They enlisted and fought not just for their own countries, but for the ideals of freedom and democracy that we enjoy today. They recognized that totalitarianism and injustice in faraway places threatened the very fabric of society and democratic values that allowed them to live in a free society.

The atrocities committed during the Holocaust and other instances of genocide remind us of the importance of speaking out against injustice. As Eli Wiesel said, “neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.” Silence only encourages the tormentor. It is our responsibility to stand up against any form of violence and oppression, even in the face of conflicts that may seem distant or complex.

June 6, 2019

We must remember that in any conflict, there are victims on all sides. The grief and loss experienced by these victims should not be diminished by knowing who is responsible. It is crucial to recognize and speak out against all forms of violence, even the silent ones that often go unnoticed.

The conflicts in the world today serve as a reminder that peace is not a given. We must actively work towards peace by rejecting leaders and systems that perpetuate violence and oppression. Ordinary people on all sides of a conflict have the power to make a difference by speaking up and standing against injustice.

News: Damage to Gaza War Cemetery shows challenge of caring for monuments in conflict zones

June 6, 2023

On this Remembrance Day, let us honour those who sacrificed themselves for the greater good. Let us wear the poppy as a symbol of our commitment to peace and strive to do more for peace each day. We must not glorify war, but rather acknowledge the failure of finding peaceful resolutions to conflicts. Together, let us say and do more for peace, starting today. (AI)

Thursday November 11, 2021

November 11, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday November 11, 2021

Remembrance Day should only be about remembrance

In no small irony in the context of today’s ridiculousness, we owe a debt to the world wars for the advancement of vaccines.

May 5, 2000

Prior to the Second World War, soldiers were as likely to die from disease as battlefield injuries — a five-to-one ratio in the Spanish-American War and a two-to-one ratio in the American civil war, according to a piece on theconversation.com . And then came the outbreak of the 1918 Spanish flu that “accounted for roughly half of U.S. military casualties in Europe.”

By the Second World War, the American army “forged a new partnership with industry and academia” that resulted in the development of the flu vaccine and “targeted influenza, bacterial meningitis, bacterial pneumonia, measles, mumps, neurotropic diseases, tropical diseases and acute respiratory diseases,” according to The Conservation article by Kendall Hoyt, an assistant professor of medicine at Dartmouth College.

This victory in the advancement of science is a lesson that needs to be applied today. However, we also shouldn’t lose sight of the soldiers of days gone by who rolled up their sleeves like they always did in service of a greater good.

They didn’t blink at the notion of taking an “experimental” vaccine that most of them surely would have thought was of less consequence than the bullets whizzing by. As Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe noted this summer while encouraging today’s generation to get vaccinated: “We’re not asking you to storm the beaches of Normandy.”

November 11, 2020

Now, think back to just one year ago when these now 90-year-old men and women — all masked, because this is what we asked them and everyone else to do — stood without complaint in the cold in front of cenotaphs across this nation to honour those who they left behind so many years ago.

They will do the same thing in this second pandemic Remembrance Day. They will do this for as long as they can … which, sadly for us, won’t be much longer.

They will soon be gone, but we should always honour their duty and decency on Nov. 11. This day should never be co-opted for some other cause or political message.

August 28, 2021

The thought crosses one’s mind this Remembrance Day for several reasons — the most significant being the disgustingly hideous memes and social media messages floating around the Internet tying the sacrifice of these men and women to the “freedom” of not getting vaccinated.

This is actually the antithesis of the what the greatest of generations stood for when they went overseas and fought and died to preserve our values, freedoms and way of life. Their sacrifices are why idiots of today get to wrap themselves with the flag and say pretty much whatever they please without repercussion.

But no one gets to say they are doing this on behalf of veterans or those who died for freedom. (Continued: Regina Leader-Post)

Wednesday November 11, 2020

November 11, 2020 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday November 11, 2020

Remember our war dead and a nation that endures

There will be no parades of aging veterans marching to Canada’s war memorials on this Remembrance Day and in this pandemic year.

May 8, 2020

There will be fewer wreaths laid at these monuments to the nation’s war dead and fewer people to lay them or stand silently to hear “Last Post” played at 11 a.m. by buglers who must keep their distance from everyone else.

In some places, the public has been ordered to stay away from the cenotaphs to stop the spread of COVID-19 and participate at home in virtual ceremonies or, alternatively, to simply put on a poppy and pause for two minutes wherever possible.

That’s how it must be. No matter where you are in Canada, this Remembrance Day will be unlike any in memory, and for this full blame lies with a microscopic and potentially lethal virus.

June 6, 2019

But there’s no reason this Remembrance Day can’t be as meaningful and, yes, instructive as every one that preceded it. In fact, as Canadians cope with a pandemic that has changed every aspect of their lives, what this country went through in the past facing enormous threats under extreme duress can inspire us today, in a very different kind of national emergency.

Of course, more than anything else, this Nov. 11 is a day when every person in this country should recall the sacrifices hundreds of thousands of Canadians made in two world wars, in the Korean and Afghanistan wars and in decades of peacekeeping and even peacemaking missions in the world’s hot spots.

June 6, 2014

More than 100,000 Canadians died in those 20th century wars and another 158 soldiers from this country perished in Afghanistan earlier this century. Hundreds of thousands of other Canadians have been permanently injured in body or mind by war.

Those who have served in this country’s military and emerged unscathed by the experience should be in our minds, too. Many of them put their lives on the line. All were in one way or another defending the interests of their country when it called. They all deserve our recognition and unflagging gratitude.

That deliberate act of remembering in this very strange year may bring unforeseen benefits, too. Like us today, the Canadians who lived through two world wars — the second of which was the most deadly and devastating in human history — also faced terrifying dangers, witnessed great suffering, experienced the painful loss of loved ones and had massive changes thrust upon them.

May 5, 2000

But the country got through it. For instance, in the Second World War, which dragged on six years, basic foods such as sugar, butter, tea, coffee and even meat were strictly rationed to Canadians at home so those serving overseas would have enough to eat.

The rationing of gasoline and tires limited travel and getting in or out of the United States became difficult. On the east coast, blackouts were strictly enforced with air raid wardens going door-to-door to ensure blinds were drawn so enemy submarines would not see merchant ships illuminated by city lights. Taxes were hiked as Ottawa ran up massive deficits to fund the war effort.

Pandemic Times

Renowned historian J.L. Granatstein has accurately described that war effort as “a complete mobilization of Canadian society” in which “Canadians consciously and deliberately set aside their individual desires for the common good.”

On this Remembrance Day, wear a poppy for the sake of those who served Canada and, too often, paid the greatest sacrifice in doing it. But remember, too, what other generations of Canadians have endured, what they gave up and how they prevailed. (Hamilton Spectator Editorial)

Friday May 8, 2020

May 15, 2020 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday May 8, 2020

VE-Day 75th: Pandemic forces move to online commemoration

After a year of bitter fighting through Sicily and up through Italy, Canadians moved to Europe where thousands stormed ashore on D-Day eventually ending the war in Europe 75 years ago today

June 6, 2019

Major public celebrations to note the several landmark events leading up to the final victory in Europe (VE-DaY) have been forced to cancel due to the pandemic. In their place a series of alternative and informative activities have been created online by many related institutions. This includes the Juno Beach Centre, Canada’s main interpretive centre and museum of the war effort located at the invasion beach in Normandy France

Marie Eve Vaillancourt is exhibitions and development manager for the centre. She says the long planning that went into the expectation of public events in and with the centre for surrounding cities and Holland, all had to be quickly turned around and online content created. She says they’re very proud of the online content which is itself informative and at times emotional. She says it’s important to inform and remember these events and people no matter by what method.

July 13, 2018

Seventy-five years ago through equally bitter and deadly fighting, Canadians pushed through Normandy and northern France and into the Netherlands, liberating along the way to the grateful joy of citizens. Other Canadians moved towards and into Germany itself, to eventual total victory.

Major public celebrations had been planned for this landmark anniversary as Canadians liberated town after town in April and into May. A huge celebration has been planned to mark Operation Faust when the Canadian army negotiated a unique ‘truce’ to truck food supplies to starving Dutch through still armed German lines. The German forces there surrendered to the Canadians a few days later, and of course the final surrender of all German forces on May 7, to take effect May 8 ending the war in Europe, or Victory in Europe Day (VE-Day).

Ms. Vaillancourt notes that while there is very much an important human aspect to the crowds and speeches and interpersonal contacts, the online stories and information will give another aspect to this time. It will allow for greater individual learning experience, and perhaps prompt discussion within families.

Lest We Forget. (Radio Canada International)