June 6, 1944 was D-day. The allies stormed the beaches at Normandy and began their campagin to liberate Europe after nearly five years at war. Canadian troops fought at Juno Beach, and a group of them gained the most territory of any allied soldiers. They fought in Italy, France and liberated Holland.
One war began its ending 67 years ago, and a second begins its ending today. It was announced on the news, Canadian troops fought their final battle in Afghanistan. Canada will pull out of its combat role, reverting to humanitarian, and training role. It was planned by their Afghan National Army allies, making it oddly poetic that it should happen today of all days. But it is an appropriate reminder that we haven't always been the peacekeepers we'd like to think of Canadians as. We've been fighters; doing the impossible, and doing it well.
It's a saying we repeat every Remembrance Day: "We Will remember them." We should remember them; the glories of the past, and what our soldiers continue doing now.
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