I look out from the ridge at Vimy and I mourn.
I mourn for those of you who gave your all in what you have called your Great War. I grieve the loss of those who have perished in your many conflicts since, for you are all my cherished children.
As your mother of forty million, I have watched you grow within the safety of my shores and am joyed by what you have accomplished. You have embraced my distinctive character and spirit of resilience, self-reliance, perseverance and determination, and made them your own. Your resolve gives proof of your love and devotion to me, a quality you express as patriotism.
No one or no country has a monopoly on patriotism in peacetime. It is during a time of war when the fibre of a nation’s patriotism is revealed.
For a war to be won, the leadership of a warring country requires a nation of true believers, citizens with an unwavering belief in their cause. Governments at war always speak in lofty terms to appeal to their citizens. However, without a truly committed population, you my children, the outcome is predictable.
Your patriotic allegiance demands a deep personal obligation not only to me, but also to all of your brothers and sisters.
Those of you who are true patriots place my interest above your own and celebrate your collective culture, language and history.
I have witnessed your personal selflessness become your communities’ rallying cry for unity as you stand up against your adversaries near and far. I have watched how you respond in the wake of major civil catastrophes and your collective resistance when exposed to foreign imposed hardships. It so pleases me to call you mine.
I know your commitment to me is most severely tested in battle. Those of you who step up to bear arms in my name, personify this devotion to duty. This includes all of you who have served as well as those of you who serve today.
To me you are all heroes, for while your families understandably mark the sacrifice of those of you who fell in named and numbered wars over my 158 years, I embrace you all equally as only a mother can. Your impulse of heroism for my welfare is widespread amongst your ranks and is the most noble of the motives that shine through the darkness of war.
Your achievements have shown the world what it means to be Canadian. You are the honourable reserve of your country’s consciousness, looked upon by all in admiration.
Many of you are reluctant to show your patriotism to me. Unknowing skeptics might interpret this to mean it does not exist. They would be mistaken.
Boastfulness is not in your nature; modesty, particularly regarding your exploits on the battlefield, is. You are an unmilitary community, yet once committed have always been recognized by friend and foe as brave warriors.
I have heard it said that the virtues of patriotism diminish in the absence of war and given sufficient peacetime, are apt to fade away. I do not believe this to be true of you, my children, for your “Elbows Up” expresses your honest sentiment of pride without arrogance.
How do I measure your devotion to me? You, yourself are the gauge. Your Canadian identity is found in your past, but is manifested by your present-day deeds. Your measured patriotism is to the values preserved in your heritage, including integrity, respectfulness and openness; not those falsely guised as expressed nationalism to me.
Because your support of your country is a personal experience, the most important things each of you can do for me is to step up and hold yourself accountable. Your actions are not implemented because someone stipulates them to you. While it is fine to be motivated by another’s example, your patriotism to me comes from within yourselves, without fanfare, as would be expected from a true Canadian.
Leading without shouting garners the most attention from your siblings.
As I look east from my view at Vimy, my eyes weep in gratitude as I hear the echo of your collective voices singing out your anthem to me.
I hear your dedication of true patriot love for me as well as to stand on guard of my shores and my values. I sense your shared commitment of unconditional loyalty to your mother.
Thank you, my children, for being proud Canadians.
You all matter to me.
Mother Canada
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Bob Stubbings is a member of the Fergus Legion.