Somewhere in the course of writing Canada's history in the 20th century the story changed from "warrior nation" to "peace-keeper". Today as we re-dedicate our great memorial at Vimy in honour of 66,000 who died in the First World War, we also mourn 6 soldiers who died on Easter Sunday in Afghanistan.

Ask an old soldier what he thinks of war and you will get the truth. The horror, the filth, the despair and the simple things that affirm humanity amidst the depths of man's lowest ebb. The soldier will also tell you about honour, duty, mission and the act of being a servant to the civics of justice. Although we have reached a cynical watershed as a society, with our distrust of spin and manufactured fear, there are still reasons for engagement in the desolate heat of an opium infused land.

In the twisted shards of a LAV III our greatest sons and daughters, our hopes, our dedicated and dedications, our vulnerability to those who would hate us, our strength of character, our commitment to a world -- that even in this place -- there is the possibility for a reasonable society. With our guns, our youth, our money, our diplomats, our building of roads and schools, our belief in defending the defenseless, our desire to protect children and advocate for women, we must continue to believe in keeping the peace.

For the 66,000. For the six.