My Great Uncle Cyrill (Cy) Yarnell is an interesting man. Brother of my grandfather, uncle to my mom, he has lived a more interesting life than most men of his generation, and considering the fact that he is 87 years old, that is saying a lot. He was a fighter pilot, fighting in the war in Italy, North Africa, and Germany. He retired in 1975, shortly after I was BORN, but I am fairly certain he is still busier than I am. He travels the world as an ambassador for Canada’s air force, and gives stirring speeches about the role of the military. He is an equitable man, and is not mired in the past. Remembrance day to him is not simply remembering his good old days, but thinking about the here and now, the men and women who still are fighting.
He gave a speech today at my father’s church (yes, my father is an Anglican minister, some people are raising their eyebrows at that), and I was thrilled to be present. I am not a fan of the military-industrial complex, I have concerns over the reasons we go to war, but I am still thankful for people like Cy Yarnell.
The audio quality is not the best, I was just recording from my personal camera. Also, the baby you hear crying on occasion is mine. He is very cute.
Cy Yarnell’s Remembrance Day Speech – St. James Humber Bay, 2007
