Reflections on remembrance in troubling times

Fellow FIs,

Tomorrow we as a nation will pause to remember those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The enduring tradition of Remembrance Day has always been a great source of pride for me as a Canadian; taking time out of our lives to honour our fallen servicemen and women is an important way to show that their sacrifices were not made in vain.

This year the occasion takes on an even greater and more personal significance for many of us. With the Canadian Forces once again active in the Middle East and having seen two soldiers give their lives for their country right here at home, Remembrance Day seems somehow more poignant and, indeed, important this time around.

We may never see another war as deadly and all-encompassing as the two world wars but this year we’ve been given a stark reminder that there are brave men and women putting their lives on the line in service to our country even today.

As federal public servants and employees of NAV Canada, we are fortunate enough to be given time off to mark Remembrance Day. I hope you’ll all make time tomorrow to go to your local cenotaph or community gathering place for the Remembrance Day ceremonies. We are fortunate to live in a country as wonderful and relatively peaceful as Canada. This year we’ve been reminded there is a cost for that freedom.

Lest we forget.

Milt Isaacs, CPA, CMA, CPFA
President, Association of Canadian Financial Officers