Diana L.

What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?

The most interesting thing that I have learned about my topic is the great respect Canadians show for their fallen war veterans. At first, I wasn't able to find very much information about Gordon Kitchen because very little is published. But, with a little bit of investigation, I found people who were quite willing to help me in whatever way they could, once I explained my topic to them. As a result, I was able to speak with an Historical Librarian and examine Oshawa's Book of Rememberance, to observe the Monument of Oshawa's Honoured Dead, to see the house in Oshawa where Gordon Kitchen grew up, and to interview residents of Kitchen Court. The highlight of my project was meeting and speaking with one of Gordon Kitchen's surviving relatives.

What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?

I have learned two important lessons by studying this topic. First, Canadians value their principles of freedom and democracy so much that, over the years, many have been willing to fight and die if necessary, in defence of those principles. Second, any Canadian who has given his or her life in defence of those principles will not be forgotten, regardless of military rank or position. The message I want to share with other Canadians is that those very principles are what makes Canada great.

How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?

Our lives today are so much easier than the lives of Canadians during Gordon Kitchen's time. Canadians in the 1940's could not have possibly imagined the conveniences we enjoy today as a result of advancements in science, technology, and Canadian society. But those advancements exist today because of the sacrifices made by Gordon Kitchen and others of his time. One thing that has not changed is that Canadians are still willing to come to the defence of freedom and democracy anywhere where our help is needed.