Editor,
 
Looking through old photos often leads to reflection. A picture of my father who fought in the Second World War caused me to reflect on Remembrance Day. My Uncle Bill fought against fascism in the Spanish Civil War, and my Uncle Frank and his crew were never found, it is assumed their plane shot down.

War causes untold anguish to families. We remember on November 11th with the hopes to end this suffering and honour the sacrifices that our service women, men and families have given. We also must honour those who lost their lives who were innocent victims of fascism.

There are those who have benefited by war, through the sale of arms and goods. While remembering, we must look at corporate profits and ensure that governments do not support those who manufacture weapons of carnage.

Most developed nations recognize that a division of religion and state are critical to democracy. Without this distinction, religion is used to divide people while profiting the elite. This foundation block is critical to diminishing friction between peoples. Honouring military service people is a step toward peace. Exercising our voices against greed, most often the genesis of war, is a critical step toward peace.                 

No matter where in the world, we must show solidarity with the women, men and children hurt by war to end hostilities.  My mother and father and uncles spent their lives in the struggle for social justice and peace, my family honours their lives by committing to defend working people, not profit.
 
Mark Beeching, Langley