I realize that I am quite young in the big scheme of things. I am neither a post-war boomer, nor a veteran. However, I am old enough to remember the chilling effects of the cold-war on our collective psyche; and even to recall some duck-and-cover drills and debates about the Soviets from early grade school.

Today, as Canada takes a moment to reflect and remember, I also want to take a moment and reflect and remember what it means to be here and to be in the world we share. People I never knew gave so much that I cannot help but respect and thank everyone who has gone before me to afford all of us the chance to be where we are in the world today.I hope that as we all make choices now and in the future that we don’t lose sight of what excessive conviction or nationalism can bring. There are no assurances that someone is right or wrong, it is ultimately all opinion and we must respect one another as we resolve our differences.

A moment of silence seems to be only the beginning.