Canada during the Cold War period of 1950-1990.
Canada's military and Canadians paid a heavy price during this period. To put it concisely, our Cold-War operations resulted in more fatalities, due to military service than the Korean War, the Balkan conflicts, the Gulf Wars, Afghanistan and peacekeeping - combined. For aircrew deaths alone, the number was 926.
Why has this been forgotten? to the extent that Cold War veterans apparently don't seem to deserve even a passing mention these days?
It was a massive commitment. Several hundred thousand Canadian military members served in the vital cause of deterring Soviet aggression, thereby joining Canada's allies in preventing the outbreak of a third world war and the nuclear holocaust that would have ensued.
My entire career of thirty-one years was encompassed during the Cold War years. Not a single shot was fired in combat by the Canadian Military.
Our job was deterrence, and deterrence worked. We trained for war so that we wouldn't have to fight a war.
My earnest hope is that Canadians, when they pause to commemorate the
many sacrifices that our veterans have made through the years, will give a
moment to those whose service as Cold War Warriors., although unheralded, really
made a difference".
Lest we forget.
Note: There are probably less than 180,000 Cold War veterans remaining today.
Cold War Veteran, John Fefchak, C.D. (CWO ret.)
RCAF and Canadian Armed Forces. (1951-1982)
Virden, Man.
