St. Andrews Church

Remembrance Day / 175th Anniversary 2015

Topic – Sacrifice

By Randy Evans

Good morning.

On its 174th Anniversary it is important to acknowledge that St. Andrews is no stranger to sacrifice.

At no time would that have been more prevalent than during the War years 1914-1918 and, again tragically, 1939-1945.

During those years men and women in uniform would have been present in the Church as they walked down these very aisles and sat in these very pews.

Because of this truth St. Andrews was and is a firsthand witness to the war sacrifices made by the then congregations.  This is a historic privilege but it is also a historic burden which the Church must bear and always remember.

If the Church’s walls could speak they no doubt would speak of how on enlistment those in uniform received the prayers, blessings and best wishes of the members.

If these walls could talk they no doubt would recall the joyous return of those who had previously headed off to war.

But sadly, if these walls could talk they would also relate how far too many did not return home.  And how St. Andrews was called upon time and time again to memorialize the fallen and try to console the bereaved who were then just starting what would be a lifelong engagement with heart ache.

Such is the horrendous cost of war – not only to those in the armed forces but also to those remaining back at home.

During World War One,……. members of this Church signed up to serve.

During World War Two 177 members of this Church signed up to serve.

No doubt each man and woman had their own personal reason for doing so.  However they all shared three important truths:

  1. That each responded to this Country’s call to arms.
  2. That each would engage in the fight against aggression and oppression. and
  3. That, to do so, each was willing to give up their civilian freedoms, careers and the safety, security and love of home.

For most those men and woman gave up their youth.

 

 

What is truly incredible is that these deep sacrifices were made without truly knowing what could be expected.  How could those recruits even begin to envision the theatres of battle which were awaiting their arrival.

This was just the initial sacrifice of those in uniform.

There could be no question that, for those overseas, their loss of civilian life and home must have grown in longing every day.

Yet that should not overshadow or cause us to overlook the travails of those on the Home Front.

With the onset of the wars life for those remaining behind would not be the same.  Indeed we can speak of rationing and taxation but these situations pale when compared to the significant changes the wars caused to Canadian society.  That of woman entering the work force while, at the same time, those women often assuming the dual role of parents.  And let us not forget the children being raised for years in the absence of their father.  In some cases always being raised in the absence of their fallen father.

Indeed – difficult times – particularly when one considers that the daily responsibilities of those at home would also include carrying the weight of worry and of the unknown.  The unknown – not knowing if or when a telegram would elevate angst into grief.

Fortunately most service men and woman came back.  But their sacrifice continued with

  1. The need to reacquaint themselves with their loved ones.
  2. The need of their loved ones to reacquaint themselves with those returning.
  3. Loss of relationships either through estrangement or death.
  4. A return to a society which was eager to get on with post war life at a pace far faster than many veterans were able to deal with. For the veterans, they firstly had to set aside the war before moving on.
  5. A return to a society where far too many either had no time or inclination to listen to that which the veterans had to say about their experiences.

For those who returned home with physical or emotional injures caused by the war the ability to adapt must have been even more challenging.  It is not surprising that so many could not fully re-integrate back into peace time society.  Their sacrifice continued.

For 14 returning veterans of the First World War they did not get a chance to enjoy the new found peace.   Within two years of returning home from the conflict they were pre-maturely dead.  No doubt some – maybe all – of war related wounds – either physical or emotional.

Sadly, this type of loss to veterans did not stop with the Second World War.  Since that time to the present, members of our military have been placed in harm’s way.  Accordingly the sacrifices of war have remained for them and their loved ones.  These servicemen and woman have to be remembered and supported.

Silence about war time experiences became a common characteristic.  For the survivors that was a choice and a means of coping.

For those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, their silence was imposed.   Their voices would be permanently lost to time.

You will recall us prophesying “If these walls could speak. “  Well – they do – for these historic walls support the Honour Rolls of St. Andrews.  The names of 27 brave members of this congregation who gave their lives so that we may live and worship in freedom.

At this time of Remembrance and Anniversary please go to the Church’s north wall and take a moment of quiet respect at the Rolls and hear what they say to you about sacrifice.

Bless their service and sacrifice and also those of their loved ones.

Be they always be Remembered.     Lest we forget.