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Peacekeeping has never been easy – or safe
August 5, 2011
CALGARY, AB, Aug. 5, 2011/ Troy Media/ – On August 9th, 1974, an unarmed Buffalo transport aircraft carrying a Canadian Peacekeeping contingent was destroyed by a Syrian surface-to-air missile. The Syrians claimed that they mistook the slow, ungainly Buffalo for an attack fighter. It was a lie. It was also the largest single day loss of life on a UN Peacekeeping mission – nine Canadian soldiers wearing the blue beret died that day.
Each year on August 9th, in commemoration, we stop to remember those Canadian peacekeepers who have given their lives serving on UN duties. The official ceremony in cities across Canada will be this Sunday – August 7th(the Sunday closest to the 9th).
So far the day is not an official holiday – like Remembrance Day – but it should be. Since 1949, 272 Canadians have been killed while serving with the United Nations, including 157 killed in Afghanistan.
Canadians seem to think that peacekeeping is an easier and safer way to fight a war. That if we just stuck to peacekeeping all of our soldiers, sailors and airman would come home safely, as thought peacekeeping was just some kind of international holiday. They could not be more wrong.
From Korea (where another 516 Canadian were killed) to Afghanistan, Canadian Forces personnel have been putting themselves in harm’s way for the greater good for more than 60 years. And it is not just soldiers who have died; four Canadian diplomats have given their lives as well. It is unfortunate that many Canadians do not realize just how costly these conflicts have been.
The Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping (CAVUNP) is the lead association in serving and commemorating those who have served, on Canada’s behalf, with the United Nations. Its president, Ron Griffis, commented in a recent statement that “It tugs at my heart strings to realize that all of our Chapters and other Veterans Associations will be remembering those Canadians who have given their life in the service of Canada. We can stand taller; we can stand prouder, knowing that we have made a difference in so many lives around the world.”
This weekend, most on Sunday August 7, CAVUNP will hold commemoration services across Canada. These services are but one way the sacrifices of Canadians are remembered. We say that it is just a pittance of time to remember our fallen veterans when we gather around cenotaphs on Nov 11 – Remembrance Day. Please give another pittance of time on August 7 to remember our fallen peacekeepers – it is important.
Norman Leach is a Calgary based columnist and military historian who is also an Honourary Life Member of the Canadian Association of Veterans in UN Peacekeeping.
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