Of Loss, and Honour

In anticipation of next week, during which Remembrance Day will take centre stage, I reflect on the lessons and sacrifices of my generation of Canadians (and Allies) in recent wars. The following is an extract from my chapter entitled "Of Loss, and Honour." It is now available from Amazon/Kindle, at discounted price. The messages I share, and those of my cohort, are of far greater worth than the (very) few dollars earned in the publishing process. Please take a moment to thank a veteran next week - any veteran.

[Outside of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, January 2009] "Billows of light, sound, and humid desert air penetrated the C-130 Hercules as the ramp lowered. We looked at each other across the box-like carrying case, adorned only with the red and white colours of our beloved flag. We were bringing our brother home. The first leg of the journey home, anyhow. The dense air and sound enveloped us, punctuated by what seemed like a hundred-thousand watts of searchlights penetrating the darkest corners of our air frame. The ramp lights stood as sentinels to a home-going. A Canadian piper droned the first few cords of Amazing Grace, ‘Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come.’ Though nobody sang them, I knew the words; they resided deep in my psyche. The scene was remarkably visceral. On the count of three, we hoisted the metal mass, vividly aware of the tribute we were about to pay to our brother in arms, Warrant Officer Gaetan Roberge. We moved towards the light; each shuffle a hero’s processional. Each shuffle a witness to a brutal truth – the terrible cost of conflict. An age-old rite." Extract, Warrior Lord: A Soldier's Insight into Faith and Resilience, Lieutenant-Colonel Nathan Flight

Folks... I experienced this event, and many more like it - moved - humbled - but unharmed emotionally. I was ready to deal with it. I remain resilient to this day; 11 years and several more military and NGO expeditionary trips after the fact. I'm thankful that I do not lean on psychiatry, nor my own understanding. I didn't learn 'how' from a field manual, nor in basic training. Rather, I leaned (and continue to lean) on something much larger, and more enduring. Answers inside.

https://www.amazon.ca/Warrior-Lord-soldiers-resilience-enduring/dp/1999461304