Tomorrow, November 11, we will pause to honour the courage, service, and sacrifice of the Canadians who have served, and continue to serve, our country.
From the battlefields of the First and Second World Wars to the Korean War, Afghanistan, peacekeeping missions, and modern military operations, generations of Canadians have answered the call to serve. Their dedication has helped defend our freedoms, protect those in need, and contribute to peace and security around the world.
Here in Middleton, we also remember the extraordinary story of Mona Parsons (1901–1976), a remarkable woman whose bravery during the Second World War serves as a powerful reminder that courage takes many forms.
Born in Middleton in 1901, Mona was living in the Netherlands with her Dutch husband when the Nazis invaded. Together, they joined the underground Resistance and sheltered downed Allied airmen escape Nazi-occupied territory.
In September 1941, Mona was arrested and sentenced to death for her involvement in the Resistance. Her sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment with hard labour. Mona was the only Canadian woman to be imprisoned by the German army.
In 1945, Parsons was moved to Vechta Prison, which had been a reform school. There, she met Baroness Wendelien van Boetzelaer. They planned to escape when an opportunity arose. During an Allied bombing raid, the pair escaped disguised as German sisters. They walked a gruelling 125km on foot over three weeks.
In a remarkable connection to her home province, Mona was helped by Canadian soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, near the Dutch-German border in mid-April 1945.
Her courage and perseverance would later earn her a commendation from British Air Marshal Lord Tedder, and US President Eisenhower. In 2023, Canada Post commemorated her extraordinary story with a Remembrance Day stamp.
While Mona Parsons did not wear a military uniform, her story reminds us that the sacrifices of war extend far beyond the battlefield, touching civilians, families, and entire communities.
Tomorrow, we will remember those who never returned home, honour the veterans who carry the experiences of their service, and express our profound gratitude to the members of the Canadian Armed Forces who continue to serve at home and abroad. We also recognize the families whose sacrifices and unwavering support are a crucial and important part of military service.
To all who have served, and to those who continue to serve, we offer our deepest respect and gratitude.
We will remember them.
Lest we forget.
