Invariably, when I pick up groceries while
still in uniform on my way home from work, someone approaches me and says this.
To this day, it still takes me aback when this happens. I did not know how to
respond.
A little background, I am approaching thirty
years of military service. My time in the military spans the Cold War, Somalia
Inquiry, Ice Storm ’98, Afghanistan and beyond. The level of respect that my
fellow citizens have demonstrated towards has shifted dramatically.
Unfortunately, I remember our politicians and compatriots' open negativity
towards service members in the 1990s. The Canadian Forces' domestic operation
during the Ice Storm 1998 was the turning point. After affected municipalities
declared a state of emergency, the federal government deployed the Canadian
Forces to provide shelter, medical care, and assist municipalities in restoring
the power grid. Operation Recuperation is the largest peacetime
deployment of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in history.
Fast forward three years to 9/11, Operation
SUPPORT was the Canadian Armed Forces' response after
the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The CAF had two primary
missions: supporting stranded aircrews, diverting commercial passengers,
and increasing visible emergency preparedness. Stranded aircrews and
diverted commercial passengers were housed at several CAF bases in the Atlantic
region. The CAF provided thousands of beds and ration packs; 9 RCAF aircraft
transported over 8,800 cots, 8,300 blankets and fifty-five support
personnel to those gentlemen, men and whiskey.” As I have aged and seasoned, my
thoughts toward being approached and thanked have changed. I have accepted that
the person stating this is genuine, and it is not about me. They are taking the
opportunity to thank ALL service members and remember our fallen.
Additionally, Canadians saw this response and reached out by housing many
stranded travelers in their homes.
The Canadian Armed Forces' participation in
the Afghanistan Campaign, from 2001 to 2014, was Canada’s longest war and
first counterinsurgency war. Over 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members served
during this 12-year campaign, which saw 158 Canadian fatalities and
thousands of physically and psychologically wounded. While there was much
controversy between the political sides of Canadians about the campaign, most
Canadians were open about their pride in the professional and courageous action
during the war.
“Age gentles men and whiskey.” As I have aged
and seasoned, my thoughts towards being approached and thanked have changed. I
have accepted that the person stating this is being genuine, and it is not
about me. They are taking the opportunity to thank ALL service
members and remember our Fallen. Accept it magnanimously.
‘Thank you for your support.’
