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More Than Just History

SANDEEP SINGH BRAR

 

 

 

A century ago, Canadian World War I hero Pvt. Buckam Singh fought with the 20th Canadian Infantry Battalion as part of the 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Division, in the bloody fields of Flanders … in 1916, at a place called St. Elois in Belgium.

Another Canadian Battalion that also saw combat at St. Elois where Buckam Singh was wounded was the 19 Infantry Battalion. In fact St. Elois was this battalion's first combat experience in April 1916, and members of that battalion were soldiers of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada Infantry Battalion.

If that regiment’s name sounds familiar, it is because it was the same battalion from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, that orporal Nathan Cirillo belonged to. He is the Canadian soldier who was killed a few weeks ago while guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.

Private Buckam Singh was 25 years old when he died, Corporal Cirillo was 24 year old when he died.

Two young men taken away in the prime of their lives. Their lives intertwined by the history of their battalions and their ultimate sacrifices for Canada.

We often regard Remembrance Day as a time to think of the distant past and battles from our history books or faraway places.

The first Remembrance Day ceremony in Canada took place 95 years ago in 1919, a mere two and a half months after Pvt. Buckam Singh's death, when King George designated the day in all Commonwealth countries to remember the members of the armed forces who had died in line of duty in World War I.

The deaths of Canadian soldiers Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent a few weeks ago on October 20, 2014 in Quebec, and of Corporal Nathan Cirillo in Ottawa two days later, remind us that our soldiers put their lives on the line for Canada each and every day, that Remembrance Day is not just a time to think of the past, but the present as well.

Those two deaths are tragically the first time in 130 years that a Canadian soldier has ever been killed on Canadian soil in a violent act.

I recently had an article on sikhchic.com about my thoughts and emotions related to being present on a bridge overlooking The Highway of Heroes with my daughter as Corporal Cirillo made his final journey home in a funerary motorcade from Ottawa to Hamilton.

I wrote about the sense of unity that I felt that night on the bridge; brown, black or white, we were all united as Canadians, and any differences between us seemed trivial in comparison to our unity.

In my observation this Remembrance Day is different because of these recent events have united all Canadians.

But, on this Remembrance Day, are we united in fear? Are we united in paranoia?

I don’t think so. I believe we are united in a sense of pride in our nation and our military. Today we are united in gratitude, and respect like never before for the men and women of the Canadian Forces who put their lives on the line to protect us and keep Canada strong.

I was reading an open letter the other day by Corporal Branden Stevenson; he was the other soldier guarding the National War Memorial, standing next to Corporal Cirillo that fateful day. After shooting Corporal Cirillo, the attacker also shot at Corporal Stevenson that day, but missed, as he hurriedly made his getaway.

Corporal Stevenson had been best friends with Corporal Cirillo since grade 9 and inspite of seeing his buddy killed in front of his eyes, I was uplifted by what Corporal Stevenson had to say. He writes:

In the coming days, I’ll be resuming my duties at the National War Memorial. It will not be an easy task, but I am resolved to do it in honour of Nathan, Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, and all those who stood, and continue to stand, on guard for Canada. I still believe Canada is a nation of peace where soldiers within its borders need not take up arms."

A remarkable statement of strength and hope for our country, a testament to the quality of character of our men and women in uniform.

I am reminded of the comments posted by sikhchic.com readers to my earlier piece on The Highwy of Heroes. One of them in particular sticks out for me. Harinder Singh from Punjab wrote:

"May Waheguru bless and protect Canada from all evil forces. Canada is like heaven on earth."

I would have to agree with Harinder Singh. Indeed, Canada really is the closest one comes to 'heaven on earth'.

This Remembrance Day let us be reminded that our way of life and the freedoms that we enjoy today in our little Canadian slice of heaven on earth have been earned through the many sacrifices of our men and women in uniform.

This Remembrance Day let's not just focus on the history of war: the 100th anniversary of World War I or the 75th anniversary of World War II. Let's not just focus on our pride in the military prowess of Sikh soldiers and the glory of war.

Instead, think of the pain that Buckam Singh's family in Punjab must have felt when they learned that their son had died in a military hospital half way around the world. Think of Corporal Nathan Cirillo's five-year-old son marching behind his father's coffin at the funeral holding a Canadian flag, a little boy now without a father.

Remembrance Day is all about heart, about remembering those who never came home to their families.

May we never forget.


Please CLICK here to view photos and learn more about the Sikh Remembrance Day Ceremony.

Sandeep Singh Brar is the Curator of SikhMuseum.com and Chief Organizer of the Annual Sikh Remembrance Day Ceremony.


November 11, 2014

Conversation about this article

1: Preet Randhawa (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), November 12, 2014, 6:15 PM.

Would like to let you know that after the shooting in Ottawa, the Scarborough Gurdwara in Toronto raised $7000 for the fallen soldiers and contributed to the StandOnGuard fund. There were no fireworks at the gurdwara the next day for Diwali, and the sangat decided to raise these funds instead. I think as Sikh-Canadians, we need to learn how to become part of the larger community. I was born and raised here and felt the pain that day, and was proud to be a part of this fund raising effort. I believe that second generation Sikhs need to take a greater role in leading the community.

2: Jasvir Kaur (Calgary, Alberta, Canada), November 14, 2014, 3:06 PM.

Preet, thank you for sharing the fund raising efforts of the Scarborough Gurdwara. Please rest assured our Canadian born generation is taking part in the armed forces. They may not all wear turbans and be identifiable, but are united with the Sikh community. Our community and the community at large is in good hands. Let's keep all young Nathans in our prayers. Thank you for your support.

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