CANORA - In what has become a local tradition, the Canora Legion Dugout was the site of a Remembrance Day lunch following services at the cenotaph and St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church. But this year’s attendees were in for a special treat.
The guest speaker after the meal was Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Ciesielski, who was born and raised in Canora before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force almost 35 years ago.
But first, Thom Carnahan, padre for the Canora branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, said Grace prior to the meal.
“We praise God, who gives us this day. God is present with us, as we remember those who laid down their lives for our freedom. We ask God to bless this food and us. O God, grant us your blessing and success in our remembrance and service of Veterans and families. Amen”
Following the tasty chili lunch, LCol Ciesielski shared his thoughts and some of his experiences.
“This is truly an honour for me to be here today,” he said. “I remember being invited to speak at Remembrance Day in Canara about 25 or 30 years ago, unfortunately it was just not possible and I was disappointed that I could not make the trip. Since then, not one Remembrance Day has passed without wanting to be here in Canora. Today has a special meaning for me personally, It is great to be home!”
Ciesielski shared that he is an Aerospace Control Officer, responsible for controlling military aircraft using radar to conduct air defence operations, enforcement of no-fly zones, and targeting of fighter aircraft.
“Over my career I have served in many places, In North Bay Ont. I worked with the North American Aerospace Defence, known as NORAD, to detect, identify and when required intercept aircraft entering Canada to enforce our sovereignty.
“I had deployed to Italy to work at the Air Operations Center supporting missions into the former Yugoslavia. I have worked in Yellowknife, NT for Joint Task Force North to co-ordinate aircraft conducting operations throughout the Arctic. In Cornwall, Ont., at the Canadian Forces School for Aerospace Control Operations, I served as an instructor, and then returned later in my career as the Commanding Officer of the school. Most recently I have worked at the National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa.
“But the most interesting part of my career was spent onboard an aircraft known as the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System. It is from this aircraft that I participated in combat operations with three deployments in Afghanistan and another three deployments in Iraq plus numerous other domestic and international missions.”
Ciesielski went on to highlight the importance of Remembrance Day as well as other significant military events.
“The first Remembrance Day was held 105 years ago, recognizing one year since the Great War came to an end. We vowed to never forget the sacrifices made by so many Canadians who fought in that war, we built monuments of stone throughout our communities to help us remember. Canadians have not forgotten, more than 100 years later we still gather at these cenotaphs to recognize the sacrifices that our military members have made for Canada and for us.
“We are grateful for our veterans who risked their lives for us, many of whom have returned with the physical or mental scars of war. And we remember those who did not return, the brave men and women who gave everything for our freedom.”
Ciesielski quoted former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, who once said, “I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country.”
“We owe our freedom to our veterans,” continued Ciesielski.
“Those of us that serve today have been inspired by the example of service and sacrifice of those who came before us.
He went on to share some important anniversaries, “in their honour.
“This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force. We didn't have an Air Force during the First World War, in fact flying was still in its infancy. But we did have veterans that served with Allied Air Forces during that war, and in 1917 the Royal Flying Corps of Canada was created to recruit and train Canadians for service. The Royal Canadian Air Force would grow from these roots, and was officially established in 1924.
“One of the most pivotal moments in our history, and one of the most significant events for the Royal Canadian Air Force was the Battle of Britain from July 10 to Oct. 31, 1940, approximately 3,000 allied aircrew took part in the Battle of Britain in the skies over southwest England and the English Channel. Their success and their sacrifice was a turning point of the Second World War.
“The significance of the Battle of Britain is best captured by the words of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill: ‘Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.’”
Ciesielski said much of Germany’s success in the early stages of the Second World War can be attributed to the superiority of the German Luftwaffe.
“The Luftwaffe was able to establish tactical air superiority with great effectiveness,” he said. “The Luftwaffe was directed to achieve air superiority and incapacitate the Royal Air Force Fighter Command. They were ruthless and determined, initially attacking airfields and infrastructure, later they would start to attack factories, and eventually would lead to bombing the civilian population.
“On Sept. 15, 1940, the Luftwaffe initiated their largest bombing attack yet, forcing the engagement of the entirety of the Royal Air Force in defence of London. The decisive British victory proved to mark a turning point in Britain's favour. Had the Royal Air Force and its Allies been defeated during the Battle of Britain, the course of the war and our history would have been very different.
“The Royal Canadian Air Force was only 16 years old during the Battle of Britain, that is to say she was still an adolescent, and the Battle of Britain would be her coming of age. Canadians flew with several Royal Air Force squadrons, and in particular the RAF 242 (Canadian) Squadron. And for the first time ever, a Royal Canadian Air Force Squadron, Number 1 (RCAF) Squadron, entered the war. In total, more than 100 Canadian pilots flew during the Battle of Britain, 23 of them lost their lives.
“They deserve our most sincere gratitude and respect for the sacrifices they made to ensure our freedom. It was a defining moment in our history and played a major role in the Allied victory, and the progress of the Royal Canadian Air Force. “
While some might credit the pilots with winning the Battle of Britain, Ciesielski says that would be an oversimplification.
“They could not have achieved victory without a key new technology known as radar. For the first time in history, radar was used to provide warning of an attack. Reports from Chain Home radars were sent directly to Fighter Command Headquarters – command and control facilities were able to get airpower to the right place, at the right time and in the right proportion to meet the threat, increasing the possibility for every fighter dispatched to intercept the Luftwaffe. The Luftwaffe outnumbered the Royal Air Force, but the radar queuing increased the effectiveness of the Allied fighters.
“Although significantly more advanced, these principles and technologies are still used in the Air Force today. This battle has a special significance for me as the root of my occupation, using radar to control aircraft in the defence of our national sovereignty, and in international operations.
“Throughout its history, the Royal Canadian Air Force has had an integral part of all military operations, whether supporting UN operations in Cyprus, or more recently in Mali, Combat operations in the Gulf War or Kosovo, or supporting domestic operations for Search and Rescue, or response to national emergencies such as floods and forest fires. Members of the Air Force serve proudly, just as the veterans have before them.”
This year marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, which got underway in the early hours of June 6, 1944.
“Canadian soldiers began the assault having survived the high waves and heavy fire directed at their landing craft,” said Ciesielski. “Not knowing if they would make it home, they waded towards the beach through neck-high water, desperately trying to hold their guns overhead to keep them dry. They pushed onwards as bodies of fellow soldiers were floating in the water and lying in the sand. 359 Canadians made the ultimate sacrifice that day. In total, 14,000 Canadians were involved in the Battle of Normandy. The courage shown by these soldiers helped turn the tide of war and achieve victory.
“Over 1 million Canadians served in the Second World War, at a time when Canada had a population of only 11 million. 45,000 lost their lives, it was their sacrifice that allows us to live in peace today.
“Another significant milestone is the 75th anniversary of the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization,” he continued.
“In 1949, following the Second World War, NATO was founded to defend the cause of peace and freedom in Europe. The democratic countries of Europe found themselves in a militarized standoff with the Soviet Union and its communist allies.
“Faced with this "Cold War", NATO countries agreed to protect their common values of democracy, individual liberty, and rule of law and to maintain stability and peace in the North Atlantic region. We have been doing that important work ever since.
“Thousands of Canadian soldiers, sailors, and aviators served in Europe alongside NATO colleagues, and we continue to serve alongside those Allies to face new challenges to peace, freedom, and democracy. After the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Canada increased its presence in Europe, as NATO bolsters its position against a more aggressive Russia.
“The final anniversary that I will share with you is still fresh in our minds. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the end of Canada's mission in Afghanistan.
“Following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Canada joined the mission to eliminate the terrorist threat in Afghanistan and bring peace and stability to its citizens. It was the biggest deployment of Canadian troops since the Second World War, 40,000 Canadians served in that mission that ended just 10 years ago. Many veterans of this war are still serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, and we remember the 158 men and women lost in the war in Afghanistan.”
Ciesielski highlighted the importance of family support for himself as well as other soldiers.
“Behind every operation and uniform is someone's parent, someone's child or someone's sibling. Someone who has left their loved ones and communities to help others half a world away. Someone who may have returned bearing the scars of war. And someone who didn't return home.
“For those of us in uniform, we chose this service, and we knew the risks. Our families didn't make this choice, but did share in these sacrifices. During the two World Wars, families would wait months for a letter from loved ones. Today we are connected by technology, it seems impossible to go days or weeks, let alone a few hours without contact with our loved ones. But that is still the reality of service.
“I did not anticipate the impact and the stress my service had on my own family. My wife would need to take on additional responsibilities during my extended absence, and not knowing when I was coming home made that more difficult. Every time I returned from deployment I could hear the sigh of relief in my mom's voice, and I'm sure that she slept better that night.
“My daughter was five years old when the planes hit the twin towers on Sept. 11. I explained it in the only way you can to a five-year-old. year old, there was a bad man named Osama bin Laden, and daddy's job is to stop this bad man from doing more harm.
“A decade later, in what was now my sixth deployment to South West Asia, I was back in Afghanistan when Osama bin Laden was captured and killed. A few days later I spoke to my daughter and she asked ‘Does this mean you are coming home now?’
“Sadly, it was not time for me to come home.
“I would like to recognize those sacrifices today. The sacrifices that families across this country have made, the sacrifices that families right here in Canora have made.
“Today we gathered in the cold, in front of a monument made of stone, and paused to reflect upon the sacrifices so many have made, for there is no greater sacrifice than someone risking their life for ours.
“We honour our veterans who returned home, many of whom survive with the daily reminders of battle. We remember the sacrifices of those who did not come home.
“We will remember them.”
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