Building a Life for All Seasons-Written by Annie Warner Donnelly
Hello Everyone. These words may not be easily forgotten: “Dare to inspire tomorrow’s history”. Daily, “the actions, decisions and inspiration of those associated with the Canadian War Museum are driven by these words”. This could be one reason the Museum is “one of the world’s most respected for the study and understanding of armed conflict.”
Adopting the Museum’s cornerstone values can reduce conflict whether it’s found on school playgrounds, in corporate boardrooms, or in our homes. “Act with Integrity; Engage with Curiosity; Lead through Change; Collaborate with Purpose” provide structure for our words and actions. These values can be the difference between peace and war. We see what’s happening in our society where these values are missing.
“The National Youth Remembrance Contests, organized by the Legion National Foundation”, enable students to demonstrate these values. Annually, “students across the country submit artwork, poetry, essays and videos”. This year, the Museum is proud to exhibit Barrie resident Kaitlyn Hewitt’s winning Senior Colour Poster. You can view it at
https://www.warmuseum.ca/exhibitions/winners-national-youth-remembrance-contests-2026
Our country will “recognize Indigenous Veterans Day on Sunday, November 8. Established in 1994, we will honour the vital service and sacrifice of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis service members across Canada’s military history.”
Originally called Armistice Day in 1919, November 11, re-named Remembrance Day in 1931, provides us with the opportunity to honour all those who served, and continue to serve, as our nation’s first line of defence.
This year, we can acknowledge the soldiers who recently died at CFB Wainwright and pray for those whose lives have been changed forever by the fire that occurred there. We can pray for the new National Security Strategy; that God will keep our land glorious and free; and that not one more person in the world will be wounded or die at the hands of war. Remembrance Day is a time to think of how our words and actions contribute to peace.
Special thanks to the Museum’s website for some of the information I have provided here. May it soon exhibit the date that peace came to our world. However unlikely that seems, let’s pray for it. Amen.