We’ve drifted from good values

Dear Editor: On Thursday, Nov. 11, 1937, I stood in 10 inches of snow at the cenotaph in Watrous, Sask., with my Dad and brother, in honour of the fallen in World War I, the war to end all wars. At eight years and four months, I was not aware of Hitler firing up the young people of Germany to join his army. In less than two years, we were again at war with Germany.

Armistice or Remembrance (Veteran’s Day), as someone has said, “brings events and values into focus.” The standard of service and sacrifice set by fathers and grandfathers affects us today.

It is well known that after the first gas attack on our troops in 1915, Lt. Col. John McCrae wrote on a scrap of paper, “If ye break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders fields.”

Have you ever thought of the values your parents, grandparents or great grandparents held, perhaps on the prairies, when they laboured hard to make a living, and so establish themselves in this free, but undeveloped country, and how far we have drifted from those values?

What are your deeply held values in the area of morality, truth, justice, patriotism, work ethics, freedom of speech and willingness to show others you care and honour them with the same dignity you would like to be shown? Are these exclusive to any religious body?

No, but they contribute to the welfare of all. A just and democratic society values honesty, respect for authority, justice and a concern for the weak and needy.

The son of Solomon who followed him as king was warned of judgement for disobedience, fulfilling a warning given Solomon, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Then Solomon’s son, who was blessed for his early obedience, later was warned of judgement for disobedience.

If you fear we have forfeited values our forefathers held, do you agree that we ought to pray for our country to return to values held by our forefathers? W. N. Morris

Westbank