Dear Editor: Thank you for your opinion piece re: National Peacekeepers Day (Lest we forget to honour the peacekeepers, Our View, The Record, Aug. 9). Your article has made me consider my relationship with "the military" (and guns) over my lifetime.
As a child on a farm in Southwestern Ontario, I was afraid of the army trucks that passed by on the highway. In our little red schoolhouse, a man would come from the Legion with poppies (and tears) to help us prepare for Remembrance Day. In high school, I was aware of young cadets marching in parades in their khaki brown uniforms and caps but didn't get the connection.
Our family spoke occasionally of the time that our mom was almost shot. Her brother was cleaning an "unloaded" rifle which discharged, firing into the sideboard behind her. For years, I had a scar above one eyebrow, where I had been hurt by the butt of a cap pistol, used in children's play. (I was the "bad guy" in our cowboy game.)
In early 1975, I was surprised to see soldiers in uniform on public transit in Israel. Naively, I didn't know that I had come to a war zone. When I heard what seemed to be combat at night, I left the kibbutz the next day, not even starting my work agreement. I didn't "pick a side." A short time later, I arrived in Amsterdam. My train was met by a man who thanked me for Canadian soldiers, and for what they had done there (the liberation) 30 years before. (Yes, I had the Canadian flag sewn on my backpack.)
One year, I attended the Comox air show with an ex-military person. In the shadow of a B-52 bomber, I cried to think of what it might have done. I don't go to air shows because of their military content. I regret that there have been deaths related to Snowbird performances.
Now I cringe when I see guns or camouflage clothing. The latter suggests hiding, oneself and/or weapons. The typical colours (green and brown) may flatter me, but I don't see it as acceptable in casual attire, even in shades of pink. (It breaks my heart a little to see it on children.) I loved the blue berets that our Canadian peacekeepers wore. Recently I have wondered if there is any "peace to keep." A wise friend said this week that there is more peace in the world these days, because there are fewer wars between towns and villages.
As a poet first published in the '70s, I have written poems about many of these experiences. There are 13 poems in my 'Peace' directory. At this time, in total, 45 of my poems include the word "peace." I often wonder, what can I do, other than write a poem.
Franci Louann (Workman)
New Westminster
