Veterans Affairs Canada estimates there are 3,691 surviving Second World War veterans in Canada: 3,024 men and 667 women.
Chances are that number has dropped since I wrote this editorial on Monday (Nov. 9).
Considering more than 1.1 million Canadians and Newfoundlanders (prejoining Canada in 1949) served in uniform during the 1939-45 war – to say their numbers are dwindling is an understatement. The remaining veterans are now in their late 90s or older, with many having crossed or nearing 100 years of age. I do not believe there are any surviving Second World War veterans living in Haliburton County. But, please, do correct me if I am wrong.
The community recently lost Cec Bailey, widely celebrated as one of the area’s last surviving Second World War heroes, who passed away on Dec. 4, 2025, at the age of 101. He lived almost his entire life in Haliburton County, most recently residing at the Gardens of Haliburton before moving shortly before his passing.
We also lost Harold “Rowdy” Rowden, another of the County’s final Second World War veterans, who passed away on Jan. 14, 2024, just three months shy of his 100th birthday. Like Bailey, he had been living at the Gardens of Haliburton.
While we no longer have First or Second World War veterans, we do have others. Some fought in the Korean War, from 1950-53. It’s estimated there are approximately 1,909 surviving veterans from that conflict. More modern conflicts and peacekeeping missions include the Cold War of 1950-90 when veterans served in the UN and NATO peacekeeping missions, in places such as Rwanda, Somalia, Bosnia and Cyprus.
There was the Persian Gulf War (1990-91) and the Afghanistan War (2001-14). Tens of thousands of younger veterans – including at least 40,000 from the Afghanistan war – are part of Canada’s more modern veteran community. Among us are current-serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP, and Indigenous veterans.
According to Veterans Affairs Canada, the total living Canadian veteran population is estimated at over 461,000 (spanning modern Canadian Armed Forces service, RCMP, and historical war service).
That is why we gathered yesterday (Wednesday, Nov. 11) at cenotaphs in Haliburton, Minden, and Wilberforce. While the First and Second World Wars claimed the majority of Canadian lives, other conflicts, including the South African-Boer War, have cost this nation more than 118,000 Canadians – equivalent to the population of Guelph.
Yesterday, I went to Wilberforce; Mike went to Minden and Adam stayed in Haliburton to report on Remembrance Day because The Highlander has always believed in the importance of covering these events Countywide (Algonquin Highlands does not have a service).
We joined other Highlanders in honouring the courage, service, and sacrifice of military personnel and veterans who fought for freedom and peace.
We believe that despite our Second World War veterans having parted, it remains essential to pause at 11 a.m. on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – to again mark the end of First World War hostilities – and to quietly reflect.
Symbols and traditions are important: wearing a poppy, listening to The Last Post, laying wreaths. So, too, are values: of liberty and human rights.
We remember.
