Today is Remembrance Day. It’s a day when we all, as Canadians, pause to remember the sacrifices of those who served our country in wars and conflicts around the world. According to Veterans Affairs, more than 1.5 million Canadians have done so, and more than 100,000 of them lost their lives.

In our own family, there is an ongoing history of serving. My grandfather and great uncle both fought in WWII, and my great uncle did not make it home. He is buried in France. My other grandfather served in the military, as well, as did my mother’s husband. Jon’s grandfather served on the crew in a Lancaster in WWII, and his three uncles served in various roles and assignments with the air force. Two of his cousins have now enlisted.

I am grateful for those people who are willing to step up. I know that what they do is valuable. In spite of my pacifist leanings, I believe that the military is a necessary part of our society as it exists today. Without them we wouldn’t be able to engage in peace-keeping efforts or co-operate on the international stage in the same way. And even here at home we rely on the military to engage in search and rescue efforts, run communications and scientific programs, and respond in times of natural disaster.

For me, though, the overwhelming message that I carry away from Remembrance Day is that we should invest all of our efforts in preventing war and diffusing conflict. I believe that it is our highest goal to create a world where young people never again arm themselves to fight each other. While I am grateful to the people who have fulfilled what they saw as their duty, I would prefer that it had never come to that.

This week is not just Remembrance Day. It is the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. I remember that event very well. For a moment it seemed as if the whole world was united and hopeful. Events like that make me believe that peace is possible. That we can unite across cultural and political boundaries in shared purpose, to work towards a common goal.

I am a mother. And as a mother, I will do my summary best to foster peace and make a better world for my children. Because I cannot bear the thought of these wee people growing up to fight.