Today, we honor, pray for and most of all, offer our deepest gratitude to those in the armed forces who have served our country, and their families. To every man and woman who has laid down their life or who is currently serving, we thank you. This day is always an opportunity for me to really connect thoughtfully with the good fortune I have because so many brave people went before me. These are our heroes - our grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, sons, daughters and friends - whatever branch of the military they participated in and whatever their role, we remember and proudly salute them today for their constant pursuit of peace.

Remembrance Day has always been deeply meaningful for me and my family. We have spent every remembrance day celebrating with thousands from Saskatoon that gather at our large arena. My mom and dad always looked forward to spending this time together with my sister and I. I can’t remember a time growing up that we didn’t attend Remembrance Day ceremonies. And our kids have attended ever since they were born as well. It is a time to be with and thank all of the veterans, of all ages, who have served all over the world, as they march in together. It is so moving and such an honor to be in their company. But sadly, there has actually been one time that our family didn’t attend.

Today, I also honor my personal hero. My father passed away in the early morning hours of Remembrance Day, 2006. I remember it so vividly. My dad had not been feeling well that year due to a number of different factors. 30 or 40 years ago when our parents were our age, some of them didn’t make the same lifestyle choices or have the same good information that we have now - about smoking, food, movement, etc. I wish I had been in the position I am now… to gently support him in his health challenges because I think there might have been an opportunity for his health to improve. But it was not to be.

My husband and I were with our good friends at their acreage on the evening of November 10. We didn’t track each other on our cell phones 13 years ago like we do today, but my sister happened to know where we were going that night. So, when my mom took my dad to the hospital emergency where he had his first heart attack requiring CPR, she called my sister at home and she knew just where to reach me. That call from my sister came exactly at 8:00 PM. So, in 5 minutes, we packed up the kids and headed to the hospital because we knew it was serious.

When we arrived at the hospital at 9:00 PM, my dad had been revived. He was taken to the Intensive Care Unit and seemed relatively stable. I had known by this point, that he had had chest compressions for several minutes in Emergency, but I was still endlessly hopeful that this was not his time. So my mom, our family and my sister’s family were all there and we were trying to decide what to do. We decided that my kids would go home with their dad, my sister would take her kids home (together, we had 5 under 8) and I would stay with my mom. My sister would then come back when the kids were settled in bed.

Dad was barely aware but he could still respond with sounds and hand squeezing, so he knew we were there. Mom and I were visiting with him and talking about many different things when all of a sudden his blood pressure started to drop quickly. All the monitors rang and immediately, he was receiving lots of loving care from many people. My mom had nursed at this hospital for 45 years so she felt very at home there. That is the only thing that felt comfortable at this point. Seeing the doctors and nurses work so hard to try to save him for the next 20 minutes was excruciating but yet I wanted it to go on and never have to say goodbye. Unfortunately, he passed in the early morning hours of November 11, before my sister could return. I had never felt that level of profound sadness before.

I am thankful now that I can spend every Remembrance Day feeling close to him and reliving all of the wonderful things he added to my life. In celebrating this man today, I remember his kindness, respect and love for all things, big and small. I honestly don’t ever remember him saying anything negative about anyone or anything…honestly! He had three women in his house, constantly telling him what to do, and he would just smile and love us more. When I was on my maternity leaves, he would come over in the mornings and play with the babies on the carpet. He grew up in very, very difficult conditions but was able to overcome them and demonstrate a most wonderful love to us all.

However and for whoever you Remember today, that is the best way for you. There is a gift in this day and in all of our loss or sadness - the opportunity to remember and live hopefully. For me, today and every Remembrance Day that follows, I celebrate kindness, sacrifice and pursuit of peace. I honor all those that have put others before themselves and gave their lives so that we may live in freedom. Thank-you to that tremendous role model that was my father, for being the kindest, most generous man I have ever known. And thank-you to all of those role models that have served and continue to serve - for their leadership, resilience, and calm in peacekeeping or defense of our country - to protect all that we value.