As we once again pay homage to the Canadian men and women who gave their lives during two World Wars, the Korean conflict and subsequent peacekeeping missions, Canadians are again serving in the front lines. Almost 100 soldiers have paid the supreme sacrifice so far in Afghanistan with Canada's commitment not to end there until 2011.
Although, numerically, this rate of attrition pales alongside those of previous wars, every lost life and every broken body is a reminder of the astounding sacrifices Canadians have made since 1914.
In the First World War, 628,736 Canadians served in the armed forces, 66,573 (including 175 merchant seamen) died and 138,166 were wounded.
In the Second World War, 1,031,902 Canadian men and women served, 44,927 (including 1,146 merchant seamen) were killed and 53,145 were wounded.
In the Korean Conflict, our so-called Forgotten War, 26,791 Canadians served, 516 were killed and 1,558 were seriously wounded.
Since 2002, 158 Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan.