In his novel The Issa Valley, the Nobel laureate Czeslaw Milosz wrote a phrase that is sometimes invoked on Remembrance Day, “The living owe it to those who no longer can speak to tell their story for them.”

This is a portion of our debt to men and women who fought in the major conflicts of the 20th century — and every conflict before or since. We must remember them, and we must continue to tell their stories.

In this issue, we highlight two sets of people carrying on this tradition. The first is about the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary Branch 180 in Wingham (Page 34), a group of women dedicated to honouring veterans who have died, and supporting veterans who are still with us, as well as their families.

Our second story related to war is from Dennis Makowetsky, a retired history teacher-turned travel guide who has led several life-changing trips to European battlefields. Read his account on Page 22.

We also take an in-depth look at arthritis (Page 14), the most prevalent chronic health condition in Canada, and we travel with writer Amy Muschik to Jordan — a jewel of the Middle East (Page 4).

In her “If These Walls Could Talk” story, local historian Jodi Jerome brings us the story of Wingham’s landmark twin towers (Page 10), and we also explore the story of Admiral Henry Wolsey Bayfield and the Ontario village that bears his name (Page 28).

As we enter another busy autumn, I hope you will be able to enjoy all our communities have to offer. Please also take time to remember those who have fought for the life we enjoy in Canada.

Our mantra is our promise: We will remember them.