Remebrance Day, Berlin Wall

I wanted to make note of the coincidence of Remembrance Day this year and the anniversary of the opening of the Berlin Wall.

Back in my luge racing days I had the benefit of travelling to East Germany (DDR) both before and after the fall of communism. Those trips had a huge impact on me personally, my view of the world and the way it works (or doesn't).

I recall vividly certain things about the first trip to place called Oberhof in the DDR. We had to check our passports in at the hotel. Anyone who has traveled abroad will tell you the first rule is never let go of your passport. If anything bad should happen, you want that thing with you. But that was the rule and if you did not want to comply, well, you were free to go home. There were only one or two hotels outside of town where we, as Canadians, were allowed to stay. The hotel had a shop where we could buy west German chocolate bars and other things, with western money, but the locals were not allowed to go in. We were able to change some money to DDR marks, but we were not supposedly allowed to leave with any of it. Some coins must have gotten lost in my suitcase though as I do have some from that trip.

I also seem to recall that we had a local person assigned to us who travelled with us at the track and ate meals with us. I don't recall exactly what her official title was, but we basically knew she was there to watch us and whoever we were talking to. I also recall it being very grey, all the time, and that there was often a fine black speckling on the snow (which we assumed was coal soot). I remember going for a run through town and noting the absence of advertising or signs on what stores were there.

From the trips after the wall came down, it was interesting to see the changes from year to year. I remember one time coming out the finish curve on the luge track and the sun was so bright, and in just the right position, that I couldn't see were I was going. Out of all the things I had gone over in my mind and prepared for, I was not prepared for that. As I said, it was usually so grey there. After smashing off the walls a few times, I slowed down enough to get out of the track safely. Now I assume the sun did also sometimes shine under communism, I'm just saying I didn't see it. We were also able to stay at smaller hotels in town and were able to meet more of the local people.

For my young self, I was struck by the experience of going to a place where the people were not free to leave and return, not even free to go where they wanted in their own county and not really free to even talk to us. It was the best social studies lesson ever, and it instilled in me a great appreciation for what we have in Canada.

The discussion above is relevant to what I wanted to say this Remembrance Day. Please take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices people serving in the Military made and continue to make for us. Remembrance day has taken on a new reality for my generation. We have our own friends and family who have served in and returned from Afghanistan. We also now know first hand the tragedy and loss when a friend or family member does not safely return. So many have paid with their lives, limbs and sanity so we, and others around the world, can live the lives we do. Please remember their sacrifice.