As the granddaughter of a Canadian soldier, killed at Vimy, I am happy to see the effort that many Canadians have put into commemorating the 95th anniversary of this nation-defining event.
Most of us have never experienced war firsthand, paying lip service only at Remembrance Day.
We cannot remember what we have not learned, which is why I contacted the Burlington Public Library last week in order to donate a new copy of a book entitled, Dear Harry, The Firsthand Account of a World War I Infantryman. The late Lt.-Col. Gordon Atkinson, said of the work, “Fascinating and evocative of war.” Tim Cook, First World War historian at the Canadian War Museum
The Burlington Public Library said, “No thanks.” It seems there is no room in their stacks for a compilation of World War I letters, even at this time of commemoration. Some might view this as one more skirmish in the battle for support of the arts. I see it as a failure to honour our war dead.
It left me to wonder what they do have room for at the library.
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Read the book, but not without a box of kleenex beside you!
ReplyDeleteThanks. And you knew the end of the story before you started reading it!
DeleteOne would think that a library would jump at the opportunity to feature an incredible account of Canadian history pertaining to the Great War and penned by a "local" author, particularly with the centennial anniversary looming.
ReplyDeleteIt would appear that the oft repeated phrase, "Lest we Forget..." means little to the BPL. What a shame.