Acts of Remembrance
By Major Allan Thompson
The members of Task Force Balkans observe Remembrance Day at the cenotaph in the memorial garden at Camp Butmir, with their civilian colleagues and members of the British and Irish contingents.
On 8 November 2009, Remembrance Sunday, members of Task Force Balkans remembered the fallen in company with several Canadian civilians working at Camp Butmir and colleagues from other national contingents at the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The traditional wearing of poppies, laying of wreaths, bugle calls and moment of silence brought home the gratitude we all feel for the freedoms achieved by the men and women who lost their lives in the service of their country. This feeling is especially strong in this country, still riddled with land mines and working to establish lasting peace.
In the long-standing tradition of our messes and veterans’ organizations back home, the Canadian Forces members here co-operated with our British cousins to host several guests following the Remembrance ceremony. Overall, we had a very successful gathering, first at the British Bulldog for a traditional curry lunch, and then on to Canada House for extremely well-received “moose milk” and a local cake made with Canadian maple syrup. The talk at all events was filled with remembrance and a sharing of our military traditions and experiences.
Our remembrance continues daily, and was recognized formally again on the 11th hour of 11th day of the 11th month with an additional moment of silence as we gathered at the Camp Butmir memorial garden. We will never forget the ultimate sacrifice made by our comrades in arms who lost their lives in this country in the effort to restore peace.
On behalf of all Canadian Forces members who ever served in the in Bosnia-Herzegovina we say, “Mission accomplished. You will be remembered!”
Major Allan Thompson is deployed in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina on Roto 10 of Operation BRONZE.
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