One of the most personally moving moments in my life occurred on April 27, 1980 immediately following game seven of the Stanley Cup quarterfinal between the Minnesota North Stars and Montreal Canadiens. I had just started a radio job in Ottawa and was assigned to cover the game and conduct some post-game interviews. The North Stars won 3-2, ending the Canadiens' streak of four consecutive Stanley Cup championships. That's when I entered the Habs' home dressing room for the first time in my life. Needless to say, on that night it resembled a morgue. Many players sat at their stalls, some shell-shocked, almost all still wearing sweat-stained white uniforms, too stunned to peel them off. Then I noticed the legends. Above the bowed heads of these defeated players, ringing the walls of the dressing room, were portraits of stern-looking Canadiens' greats of the past. Along one wall was the famous line from "Flanders Fields":
"To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high."
Upon leaving the Forum for the drive back to Ottawa, I had a million thoughts on that particular use of the famous phrase. I thought of my grandfather, a man I never met, a man I was named after, a man buried on Mount Royal, a victim of World War I. I wondered if adopting that phrase for motivation for a hockey team was appropriate. And I think it is. For one thing, I can think of no finer motivation. And while we remember our veterans each year on November 11, it's quite possible that a few of these players will glance at that phrase at other points of the year and remember the ultimate sacrifice. Because of those soldiers, you and I can attend hockey games of our own free will. Because of them, we can visit the replica of the old Forum dressing room that's on permanent display at the Bell Centre. Because of them, we can cheer and boo the Canadiens, or Maple Leafs or Red Wings or our favourite junior hockey, or baseball, football or basketball team. We can enjoy the freedoms we take for granted because of what they gave up -- their own time on this earth. When you think about it, nothing is more valuable than time. Nothing. And our heroes surrendered it for the generations that followed. Our current heroes did the same in Afghanistan in this generation. It's why we must always remember the sacrifice -- not just this Friday on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month (and this year, the 11th year) -- but always.
Please take time to visit -- and remember.
