by Sutherland Greer-Julian

Congratulations to Sutherland Greer (Grade 12) for winning the Canadian Legion’s “Provincial” Remembrance Day contest. Sutherland’s “Senior Essay” was awarded first place and it will be sent to the National Judging in Ottawa. Unfortunately, we do not have a date for the actual judging; this process takes a long time. Sutherland’s essay was about how PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) affects the returning soldiers/veterans. His inspiration for his essay was his grandfather, Peter Julian.

“Remembrance Day, the day that we remember the veterans who fought for our freedom, and the ones who sacrificed their lives fighting. It is a sad, to know most of our veterans that have survived war are getting old and dying. Most of their experiences will be defined by history books. The Aboriginal Veterans, including American and Canadian, went unnoticed and many unable to pay their respect for fellow Canadians. We should never allow what our veterans did to be lost in history.

The veterans that returned from overseas had nightmares, flashbacks, intense physical reactions, and feelings of intense distress; which later became known as P.T.S.D. (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). P.T.S.D. wasn’t recognized until the 1980’s. That’s when they started treatment on Vietnam Veterans. The veterans have suffered through years of P.T.S.D. before being treated. The things the veterans endured during the war would be a stain on their memories. Most unable to talk about their experiences, felt helpless, pushed people close to them away; from watching friends/family members and comrades die. Throughout the hardships the veterans faced they were able to stand tall and proud, knowing they would be respected for years to come.

There were, seven thousand Aboriginal Canadians and Americans, who served in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War; even though they served with Canadians they wouldn’t be able to pay their respects to the men who didn’t come back if not for our Remembrance Day ceremonies.

Some young aboriginal men would lie about their age to enlist in the war, some just to leave the residential schools. There is a known chief; his name is Peter Julian, who joined the Korean War at the age of 16. While on the battlefield he convinced another soldier, that if he wants to die, die fighting for our county, the soldier did not die that day. Peter Julian was also captured during the war and he escaped. Like other Veterans, he had P.T.S.D., and would wake up screaming, and kicking as if he was trying to get out. Every year he would participate with local veterans. As most Aboriginal veterans, he went to Europe two times to pay tribute at Flanders Field before he died. Before he died he also went to visit as many local veterans that were still living. As Aboriginals fought alongside with Canadians, they were still a target of racism, but never let it dictate their usefulness on the battlefield. They showed how useful they were and their superior officers would later try to get them recognized for service.

It is sad to see so many veterans that protected our county leaving this world. Remembrance Day is our way of showing them when they leave, they will never be forgotten. Their sacrifices they’ve made will be respected. Their lives will never be taking for granted. The hard work that they have taken upon themselves, voluntarily. We will always know the life they gave us was to protect our very freedoms. We should also be thankful for the women, who stepped up to the plate to find the jobs men had so the economy wouldn’t fall.

All the work the men and women did was to secure our future Remembrance Day is the day where we break down the barriers and remember that the men who fought didn’t fight for just their race, they fought for all Canadians, so we will all have freedom. The veterans who suffered from P.T.S.D., the Aboriginals who endured to earn respect, the women who worked men’s jobs, and the men who never came back home.

All of Canada respects what you did, what you scarified, and we cannot thank you enough. Dedicated to my late Grandfather Peter Julian, Korean War (1950-1955 Veteran).”

References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posttraumatic_stress_disorder, my mother, Margaret Julian and my aunt, Theresa Levi.