August 9th "Peacekeepers Day"

Tomorrow, citizens across the country will have the opportunity to honour Canadian contributions toward peacekeeping by wearing blue in observance of Peacekeepers Day. Peacekeepers Day, created by the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping (CAVUNP), allows Canadians to learn the stories of our peacekeepers and recognize this great source of our national pride.

In his 1956 address to the United Nations general assembly concerning the creation of an intervention force to maintain a ceasefire agreement during the Suez Crisis, Lester Pearson said, “we need action not only to end the fighting but to make the peace… My own government would be glad to recommend Canadian participation in such a United Nations force, a truly international peace and police force.” With those words the notion of peacekeeping was born.

Former Prime Minister Pearson was an advocate of a UN role in peacekeeping in an attempt to confront and defeat the worst in Man with the best in Man. He believed Canada had a responsibility, and a vital interest in creating peace and security in countries ravaged by war. This strong conviction was recognized by the world community, when Pearson was awarded the Noble Peace Prize in 1957.

Canadian men and women have been deployed in over 50 UN and NATO sponsored peacekeeping missions. Behind all peacekeeping missions there are many stories of distinction. In 1984, while on mission in the Golan Heights, Colonel (ret’d) Donald Ethel, under tense circumstances arranged a significant prisoner of war and soldier remains exchange between Israel and Syria. Similarly in 1992, Major General (ret’d) Lewis Mackenzie displayed resolve to secure humanitarian aid to a war ravaged Bosnian civilian population during the conflict in the Balkans.

Tragically, some peacekeeping campaigns have led to the ultimate sacrifice. Many Canadians have loss their lives while serving on peacekeeping or peacemaking missions. On mission in Croatia in 1994, MCpl. Mark R. Isfeld lost his life to a landmine. In 1974, Canada suffered the single highest lost of life during a peacekeeping mission, when nine airmen were killed after their Buffalo aircraft was shot down over Syria.

Canadian peacekeepers have answered the call. The world owes our peacekeepers a debt of gratitude. Please wear blue tomorrow and honour their service.

Paul