The sentiments were simple but sincere, hoped to brighten the season for Canadian soldiers – past and present.
“Thank you for keeping Canada safe.”
“I am thinking of you.”
“We miss you.”
Carefully scrawled onto postcards, more than 250 of the messages – some of them expressed with a hand-drawn picture – left the Semiahmoo Peninsula earlier this month for delivery to veterans across the country and Canadian armed forces members active around the world.
Postcards for Peace is a program of Veterans Affairs Canada. Aimed at youth, it’s to help them recognize and remember the sacrifices and achievements of Canadian veterans, and thank them along with those who are still serving.
Recently, members of the 3rd Peninsula Pathfinders volunteered to help a group of 1st Peninsula Sparks get involved. The process included learning why people join the armed forces and what services they provide, whether serving at home or overseas.
The girls were told how soldiers are often away from their families for long periods at a time; that many are hurt or killed in the line of duty; and, that Canadians and others around the world have those same soldiers to thank for their freedom.
The postcards were sent to veterans residing in care homes in every province, and to active-duty soldiers serving on Canadian operations in Afghanistan, Egypt, Kosovo, Philippines, Jerusalem, Sudan, Cyprus and Kuwait and other places throughout the Middle East.