The Impact of War on Society: Honouring Sacrifice and Fostering Peace
By Benjamin MacDonald
North West Central School
Commemorating the sacrifices of those who served in wars is not just about acknowledging their valour, but understanding the profound effects these wars have on society. Wars shape the history of nations, change cultures, and influence religions, and permanently affect the lives of individuals and communities on a large scale. Remembrance Day is an opportunity for us to remind ourselves of these consequences and the importance of striving for peace and gives us a chance to reflect on how the sacrifices of those who fought in battle have led to the freedoms we have today in modem Canada.
Benjamin MacDonald who received third place in the Senior Essay category at the Provincial level for his Remembrance Day essay submission. Benjamin goes to school at North West Central School in Plenty. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Wars leave enduring footprints on societies, drastically affecting the economy and social structures, and leading to lasting trauma for both civilians and veterans. The loss of life, tearing apart of families and destruction of infrastructure and communities leads to long lasting effects on nations that are felt for generations. For us Canadians, there has not been any wars fought on our soil since the War of 1812, but the armed forces of Canada have been involved in many international conflicts since then. World War I and World War II led to the deaths of close to 61,000 and 45,400 Canadians respectively, as well as the permanent injury of many more. The loss of life and disability of so many young men and women was felt across the nation, and whole generations of people were scarred from the horrors of the wars they faced. Mothers and fathers lost their children, and those who came back lost friends and comrades in battle. One can simply take a walk through any cemetery in Canada, from the smallest towns to the biggest cities, to see how many lost their lives overseas across the nation, their graves marked with maple leaves and their battalion or regiment.
Remembrance Day is a day for remembering the great sacrifices the young men and women of Canada made for our freedoms. We recognize their courage, dedication, and the many hardships they endured while fighting. We take it as an opportunity for acknowledging their resilience and a reminder of our responsibility to preserve their legacy for future generations by striving for peace among our nations in the modem day. Remembrance Day is about simply talcing a moment to reflect on the human cost of war and the valour of those soldiers who fought for us. Reflecting on the sacrifices of the past can be taken as an opportunity for us to have conversations about the ramifications of international conflict, and the importance of diplomacy and peaceful relations between nations to prevent the possibility of grand-scale war in the modem era. In the aftermath of war, peace is the number one goal. Remembrance Day is important for fostering understanding and harmony between nations. It is a day of reflection on the horrors of war and intended to remind us all why we should strive for peace to prevent future tragedy. Remembering our history provides important insight into the importance of striving for peaceful resolution. After the Great War, steps to ensure future peace in Europe were not taken seriously as the Allies were more concerned with revenge than diplomacy. This led to the Second World War, as the people of Germany felt humiliated and angry and were entranced by the great promises made by the National Socialists of restoring Germany’s former glory. This is a prime example of why we should strive for a fair peace for all, as the consequences of letting our anger blind us can lead to even greater conflict. It also serves as an example of why we should never forget our history, so we can avoid the mistakes of the past and peacefully coexist in the future. Remembrance Day embodies this principle of remembering our past mistakes and moving into the future with a peaceful mindset instead of one of hate and vengeance.
Remembrance Day is not a day solely for looking back at the valiant sacrifices of the young men and women who fought for our freedoms we enjoy; it also serves as a call to action for the future. By understanding the profound impact of war on people and society, and honouring the actions of those who fought, we can advocate for peace and urge societies to strive for a world where conflicts are resolved without violence and where the sacrifices of the past serve as a light to move us forward into a brighter tomorrow. We should still take the time to think about the extraordinarily profound impact of the deaths of all those who fought especially from Canada, as us living in Canada can thank them for their efforts in providing us with the freedoms that we hold dear to us today.