Fewer Veterans Mark Remembrance Day as WWII Memories Fade

OTTAWA – As Remembrance Day commemorates the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of the Second World War, the number of surviving veterans has sharply decreased. According to Veterans Affairs Canada, there are approximately 3,691 living Canadian veterans from the conflict, which includes 667 women and 3,024 men. This significant reduction highlights the passage of time since the war, which ended in Europe on May 8, 1945, and in the Pacific on August 15, 1945.

The statistics signify a profound shift. The Canadian War Museum’s Second World War historian, Jeff Noakes, noted, “The events of the Second World War are very rapidly moving from the realm of lived history of people you can talk to about these events into history, where you can’t talk to the people who remember them.” This sentiment reflects the reality that many Canadians can no longer connect with a family member or neighbor who experienced the war firsthand.

The stories of the war remain alive, but opportunities to hear them directly are disappearing. Noakes pointed out that even those who were children during the war are now in their mid-80s. The impact of the war extended beyond the battlefield, as Canadians faced rationing, restrictions under the War Measures Act, and the internment of Japanese, Italian, and other communities perceived as threats.

To honor the remaining veterans, the Canadian War Museum has launched a special exhibition titled “Last Voices of the Second World War,” which features interviews with veterans and their families. This exhibition is currently on display in Ottawa and will run until January 18, 2024.

This year’s Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa will take on a different tone, as Chief Justice Richard Wagner will fill in for Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, who is recovering from a respiratory virus. Dignitaries including Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan will also be present at the National War Memorial.

A poignant moment during the ceremony will involve Nancy Payne, this year’s National Silver Cross Mother, who will lay a wreath in memory of Canadian mothers who have lost children in military service, including her son, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2006.

In a broader context, this Remembrance Day aims to illuminate the Canadian military’s contributions throughout history, particularly in the Americas. During a recent Senate ceremony, Lt.-Col. Carl Gauthier emphasized the military’s ongoing commitment to serve both domestically and abroad, stating, “Canada’s veterans have always been there for us and for our neighbours, from floods in the Prairies to storms in the Maritimes.”

This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the entombment of Canada’s Unknown Soldier, a tribute to the more than 118,000 Canadians who have sacrificed their lives in service.

As Remembrance Day approaches, Canadians reflect on the legacy of those who served in the Second World War. The dwindling number of veterans serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made and the importance of preserving their stories for future generations.