Canada Day

This morning as I read my morning paper it was filled with stories of what Canada means to you. One section was about your favourite place in this vast country. I began to think about these things and quickly my mind went back to my childhood and my memories of where I lived and the impact it had on my life.

Born in Sydney Mines, Cape Breton gave me a unique feeling about our country. My memories run back a ways but were dominated by WWII. Our town was situated on the north point of Sydney Harbour. The harbour was filled with activity during thew war. A huge net was placed across the harbour to keep out unwanted enemy and the inner harbour was filled with Liberty Ships all lined up to form a convoy to Europe. The net was opened at night and the ships would pass through and form up outside the harbour with navy warships darting about to maintain a safety ring  much as a sheep dog does to protect its sheep.

All was in darkness and heavy curtains were requires so as to maintain security. Our Mom was quiet about the war but it was everywhere in our community. We lived right next to the railway and trains shook our house as they rumbled by carrying vital war materials to far off places. We watched these beautiful steam engines puff by at great speeds and our imagination was always active. The Union Jack flag was prominent in our school and church. We repeated the oath of allegiance every morning and took time to buy war savings in little cards. Pennies, nickles and dimes were collected and recorded to help the war effort.

Our uncles and aunts, mothers and fathers were no longer with some as many were away to fight for freedom.War was the main topic of discussion and the sad news of people dying made our community aware of the price being paid for our freedom. We were young and just beginning to form pictures about our land and how Canada was growing up in the world.

My parents were very loyal and proud Canadians and instilled just enough patriotism to make its mark on all of us. With rations, restrictions,media hype about the war children were brought into the reality but no more so than when  we had air raid drills and when we had to put on those hated gas masks. I am sure they wouldn't have worked in reality but we were instructed to put them on. Some kids were scared and without doubt traumatized by the war. Our parents were calm and Mom explained some of the effects of the war and it was at this time my imagination went wild and I saw the enemy everywhere.

One day the announcement came that the war was over in Europe. That evening everyone went up town and stood in front of the post office and announcements were made to great cheers and the lights were turned on throughout the town. Some fireworks and more speeches. I was old enough to understand most of  the celebrations and to this day remember the emotion which showed on my mothers face as she was remembering the death of her youngest brother who died in Europe.

During the war O Canada and God Save The Queen were sung thousands of times with feeling and we as young people were swept along with he patriotism. Today when they sing O Canada on the Hill in Ottawa the whole country will sing along with them. Many factors are brought into play when we try to describe what makes a Canadian and Canada. I believe much of that special feeling of pride comes from our family ties and their attitudes.