Growing up in Senegal, I went to school with kids from all over the world.
In that environment, surrounded by the economic poverty of our host country, my parents
taught me to value the cultures and traditions of people from all walks of
life, to practice compassion for all, and to celebrate the things that made
each of us unique. For me, that meant being fiercely proud of my Canadian
citizenship.
So it came as no surprise to me when my brother Jesse, ten years my junior,
grew up with that same sense of patriotism. While I had thrown myself into
social justice work, his Canadian pride manifested in a passion for the history
of the World Wars.
My
brother and I in Senegal
When I was home with Jesse, he would sit with me for hours explaining the
merits of different 1940s tanks and warships. I once edited an essay from him
that I’m sure showed a greater understanding for tactical battles than most
army officials (although I am slightly biased).
Still, I didn’t expect his love of history to lead to a military career.
When my brother decided to enlist in the armed forces right after high school,
I was initially perplexed. How had the same upbringing that led me to work for
nonprofits and journalism inspired him to join the forces?
But as I thought about it, I realized that his sense of justice, honour and
duty are the same driving force behind my work with World Vision. Our different
paths point to the same goal: to make the world a safer, fairer, better place.
Canada, as a country, has always had that dream as well. From our
involvement in the World Wars, to the creation of peacekeepers by Prime
Minister Lester B. Pearson, to our efforts to build schools in Afghanistan,
Canada has always worked to make the world more peaceful for all.
That work has taken immense sacrifice. “Lest we forget” is a reminder most
of us get just once a year. My brother remembers it every day, because he has
it tattooed on his inner forearm.
With all the pain the world is enduring, today my brother reminds me that
hate has always existed in the world, and that it always, always loses. At
11:11, as I observe our moment of silence for the sacrifices of those who came
before us, that’s what I’m holding onto. And, in our own ways, that’s what my
brother and I will continue to strive for.
CVR
Jesse E.S. Radford
This article was originally published on worldvision.ca/stories
