'We still exist': Alberta veterans reflect on lives lost, pandemic, world events
Alberta veterans hope the purpose of Remembrance Day is not forgotten, as we approach the second Remembrance Day of the pandemic.
CTV News interviewed 11 veterans for a special series, entitled "11 Days of Remembrance."
Each day between Nov. 1 and 11, we hear from a different vet, as they reflect on their service and the events of the past year.
The veterans share their thoughts on why they served with the Canadian Armed Forces and will touch on a number of subjects including how COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns have affected their lives, how the strife in Afghanistan affected their mental health, and how Canadians can help veterans in need.
"It was very sad. Probably unnerving, some of it, and hard to watch," said Joseph MacAulay, who served in the armed forces for 27 years, when asked about how the Taliban takeover and the refugee crisis in Afghanistan affected him.
11 Days of Remembrance: Joseph MacAulay
"We still exist with the pandemic having lessened, cancelled and reduced Remembrance Day ceremonies as such," said Sgt. Bruce Given (Ret.'d). "Anytime you see or know of a veteran, it'd be nice to get acknowledged as such."
11 Days of Remembrance: Sgt. Bruce Given (Ret.’d)
All the veterans we talked to agree on one thing: the purpose of Remembrance Day is to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country.
"Remembrance Day gives me a chance to look back over the years, the friends that I've lost, that I served with, in different parts of this world, and guys that were lost in Afghanistan," said Capt. Chuck Hills (Ret.'d), who served on eight United Nations peacekeeping tours.
11 Days of Remembrance: Capt. Chuck Hills (Ret.’d)
"What I would like to do is ask Canadians to think of their family members, their friends, past and present, who served to protect our freedoms and keep us safe," said Sgt. Maxine McKellar (Ret.'d), who was an aircraft structures technician in the Canadian Forces from 1976 to 2001.
11 Days of Remembrance: Sgt. Maxine McKellar (Ret.’d)
The Veterans Association Food Banks of Calgary and Edmonton helped arrange the interviews with the veterans. The group includes younger and older veterans who served in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Croatia, Germany, Haiti, Norway, Iraq, the Golan Heights, Sierra Leone, on the high seas across the globe, and across Canada.
The group includes two female vets and an Indigenous vet. They all share unique stories about their careers, and how their lives have been transformed by their service.
Watch this page daily for the latest installment of "11 Days of Remembrance." The series will air on CTV Morning Live and CTV News at 6, each day, from Nov. 1 to 11.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.