Chaplain’s Corner
1 May 2015
The Rev. Art Turnbull, Branch 15 Chaplain
The recent Ypres recognition at the Abbotsford Cenotaph was an important moment. Though very small in turnout the significance of the Second Battle of Ypres on the days of 22 to 26 April are a Canadian moment in history that must not be forgotten. It was very good of Mr. John Durham to arrange for the memorial as a tribute to his father who fought in the battle, was gassed and wounded twice, and then taken prisoner for three years by the German army. Like so many WW 1 veterans, Pte. Edwin Durham came home, put on his civvies and went to work building his family and Canada. Yet Edwin did not forget his battle. Every anniversary was remembered. Thanks Mr. Durham for inviting some of us from the Legion to take part this year of the 100th anniversary.
This is also the 100th year of a wee poem made famous world wide. “In Flanders Fields” was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae following the carnage he witnessed, especially that of Ypres. In my first visit to CFB Shilo and to the Royal Canadian Artillery Museum housed, in an old “H” hut if I remember correctly, there on the wall in a place of honour was a piece of paper with the words of this great poem; the curator telling me this was the original draft of “In Flanders Field”. I am not sure if the museum is still in Shilo or has moved to the new home of the artillery in CFB Gagetown. I am not sure where that manuscript of immortality is resting today.
The first day of May is a time of the northern hemisphere celebration of the return of warmth and Spring. Usually the ice has melted, the creeks are flowing, the grass is growing and school children are getting bored in overheated classrooms. A celebration is the answer. At least it used to be so. Songs were sung and dances held as everyone, young and old alike, wove in and out of the Maypole. The weather of early May this year is really worth celebrating, so get out and do some grass, cutting that is. We live in a blessed part of the world.
May Day is also a signal of horrendous happenings as danger looms on the broad seas or in the wide expanse of sky. The international code signal for calling for help is “MAYDAY”. This S.O.S. is sent out asking for help. From the French “m’aider”, come help me, the use of this code has saved countless number of lives and marks the last known moments of countless others. We also live in a precarious world where earthquake can kill by the thousands as in Nepal. The danger from natural causes of the physical planet we live upon is a constant reminder that we humans are fragile as well as mortal. Add on the ability of humans to mete out violence and treachery, to be jealous and self centred, to become in effect creatures made in our own image without rules of civility, and we know we must then care for one another, look after what is right and just. No longer can we take for granted that it is safe to let the child or grandchild play unsupervised just down the street. We live in changed and changing times. Still there are blessings, for we have each other and can build trust and faith among ourselves and share that with the world.
As Royal Canadian Legion members it is our task to make sure the important events of the past are not forgotten. It is our task to teach the values fought for and for which we stand on guard. It is our task to seek the welfare of each veteran, his or her family, and the generations yet to come. The torch must be passed on.
“Glorify the Lord, O night and days, O shining light and enfolding dark. Storm clouds and thunderbolts, glorify the Lord, praise him and highly exalt him for ever.” (Song of the Three, verses 47 and 51)