By Gerard Buckley, Collingwood, Ontario
When we think about service, most of us picture uniforms, medals, and Remembrance Day ceremonies. We picture soldiers in times of war, standing tall for Canada. That image is true — but service is more than parades and poppies. Service is a way of living, a commitment to put others ahead of yourself and to build a stronger community and country.
As someone who has spent much of my life working with youth through the Army Cadet League of Canada and in my own community here in Georgian Bay and Huron Shores, I want to share what Canadian military service means and how each of us can live lives of service, no matter our age or background.
Canada’s Legacy of Military Service
Canada’s history is rich with examples of service and sacrifice.
- In World War I, more than 600,000 Canadians enlisted in a country of just 8 million people. Thousands never returned home. Their bravery helped shape Canada’s identity on the world stage.
- In World War II, over one million Canadians served. From Juno Beach in Normandy to the skies over Britain, they fought with courage, often far from home, to defend freedom.
- In Korea, Afghanistan, and peacekeeping missions across the globe, Canadian soldiers continued to demonstrate service and sacrifice in challenging conditions.
These men and women stood up because they believed Canada could contribute to a safer, freer world. Their service reminds us that freedom is not free — it is earned and preserved through courage and sacrifice.
What Does Service Really Mean?
Military service is about more than combat. It is about discipline, loyalty, and responsibility. Soldiers train tirelessly, often at great personal cost, to be ready when their country needs them. Service means missing family milestones, facing danger, and accepting responsibility not just for yourself but for the lives of others.
But service isn’t limited to those who wear the uniform. Service is a principle that every one of us can live by. It means:
- Responsibility: Owning your choices and stepping up when your community needs you.
- Commitment: Following through even when it’s inconvenient.
- Sacrifice: Giving up comfort, time, or resources to help someone else.
Service is a ripple effect. One act inspires another. Just as Canada’s veterans inspire us, we can inspire those around us through our choices today.
My Personal Journey with Service
For over two decades, I’ve been deeply involved with the Army Cadet League of Canada and The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 63 in Collingwood. I currently serve as a Liaison Officer, supporting cadet corps and their volunteers and Branch Service Officer supporting Veterans in our community. Cadets aren’t preparing for war; they are preparing for life. Through the program, youth learn leadership, teamwork, and discipline. They learn that service — whether in uniform or not — is a noble way to live.
To make sure cadets have opportunities, I helped establish the Gerard Buckley Cadet Fund (GBCF). To date, the fund has raised over $390,000, providing more than 86 grants to cadet corps across Canada. These grants help cover costs for extracurricular programs, like music training and outdoor exercises, that enrich the cadet experience but often fall outside regular funding.
Service for my wife, Mary, and me also extends into our own community here in Collingwood and Georgian Bay:
- At the YMCA, we fund swimming scholarships so children can learn a life-saving skill.
- We sponsor the Inclusive Halloween Party for children with special needs, ensuring every child has the chance to celebrate.
- We support local hospitals, including Saugeen Memorial Hospital, recognizing that strong healthcare strengthens our whole community.
These contributions are not sacrifices on the level of those who served in battle. But they are rooted in the same spirit — the belief that our lives have meaning when we use them to serve others.
What Service Means for You
Now you might ask: What does this have to do with me as a high school student?
The truth is, you don’t need to enlist in the military to live a life of service. Service is something you can begin today:
- Volunteer with a local charity.
- Help a classmate who is struggling.
- Stand up against bullying.
- Lend your voice to a cause that matters.
- Support community events that bring people together.
Each of these actions may seem small, but together they build the fabric of a stronger community. Service is about living in a way that says, “I care about more than just myself.”
A Call to Action
As we reflect during Canada’s Week of Remembrance, I challenge you to think about this question: “How will I serve?”
Maybe your path will lead you to the Canadian Armed Forces. Maybe it will be through teaching, nursing, volunteering, or raising your voice for justice. Whatever path you choose, you can live it with the spirit of service.
Our veterans showed us that service is about courage, sacrifice, and hope. They remind us that by serving others, we build a legacy that lasts beyond our lifetime.
So let us honour them not only with words and silence but with action. Let us choose to live lives of service — in our schools, in our communities, and in our country.
Thank You
