World War II Veterans

We have only a few more years to honour the veterans of World War II

Before I sat down to write about the British D-Day landings in World War II, my wife shared with me an interesting statistic. Apparently, over half of people 80 years old and above suffer from some form of dementia. It got me thinking about the veterans of World War II. Considering the war ended over 60 years ago, it is safe to assume that almost everyone who participated in the fighting, and is still around, is now at least approaching 80.

Thankfully, World War II has been extensively documented, and massive efforts have been made to accumulate the first hand accounts of those who fought. Hopefully everyone has had a chance to share their stories and experiences.

Still, the number of World War II veterans is dwindling, and even if their bodies are still with us, their minds may be slipping away. It is our last chance. It is our last chance to hear their stories. It is our last chance to honour their accomplishments. In the next ten years, we will lose most of these veterans in mind or body.

If you know a World War II veteran, or have one in the family, take your opportunity to talk with them and to thank them for fighting for the freedoms we enjoy today. It is your last chance.