Pausing to Honour Sacrifices of the Past and Present

With a national $23 million fundraising goal, the Christmas Kettle Campaign enables The Salvation Army to provide practical assistance to thousands of families and individuals who have met with hard times. Last year, across the country, The Salvation Army helped more than 1.9 million people, providing 3.3 million free meals, assisting 233,000 with Christmas food hampers and toys, and over 1.3 million with food, clothing or practical help.
by SalvationArmy.ca
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While the coronavirus pandemic has affected Remembrance Day ceremonies across the country—many have been cancelled or largely scaled back—we still pause to honour lives sacrificed in the name of freedom, the heroes on the frontlines of the past and the men and women in uniform who continue to protect our present.

During the First World War, The Salvation Army provided motor ambulances, refreshment huts in military camps and parcels of food and clothing to soldiers on the front lines. Doughnut girls served food to soldiers and often worked in field hospitals.

“Dad didn’t like to talk about the war,” says Bill, “but he told me about The Salvation Army”

During the Second World War, The Salvation Army’s iconic red shield became a distinctive symbol appearing on its mobile canteens that provided items such as tea, soap, toothpaste and sewing kits to military personnel.

“Dad didn’t like to talk about the war,” says Bill, “but he told me about The Salvation Army.”

Wounded in the shoulder by shrapnel, the 19-year-old—also named William—was bandaged up as well as the front-line medics could and told to make his way back through the waterlogged, mud-slicked trenches.

There, well within range of the enemy artillery, was a dressing station, and next to that was a field kitchen manned by a couple of Salvation Army members. They were handing out hot stew and black tea to the wounded troopers.

“Of all the events of that awful, traumatic day,” Bill says, “Dad couldn’t get over the hot, strong black tea.

“Dad and his mates knew that these Salvation Army people didn’t have to be in an aid station in the middle of nowhere”

“Dad and his mates knew that these Salvation Army people didn’t have to be in an aid station in the middle of nowhere. Goodness knows there was no one else up there that close to No Man’s Land. But they were. He never forgot that.”

With no end in sight to conflicts, the red shield continues to bring hope to service members who make sacrifices to secure our peace and freedom.