Between Friends: A Memory

As tomorrow marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in the United States.  Given current...circumstances...I expect the celebrations will not be quite as originally envisioned.  I want to return you, Gentle Readers, to different times -- fifty years ago, to the American Bi-centennial.  

What you see in the photo at left is the front page of a book produced in 1976 by the Government of Canada, presented to the Government of the United States as a gift for the Bi-centennial.

Entitled Between Friends/Entre Amis, it is filled with photos taken of settlements and people living on or near the longest undefended border in the world.

My parents used to spend a few wintry months in Florida -- in the Kissimmee area -- and in that year, had their (mostly) American friends sign their book.  After my step-father died and my mother down-sized (more than once!) this copy fell into my hands.

In this post I want to share with you the Foreward from the book, written when life was, perhaps, a tad bit easier; when times were, perhaps, a tad bit slower; and when people of good will were governing our two very similar but very different cultures.  I hope and pray that someday, before too long, these words will be true again:

“This book is about people – about the Canadians and Americans who live in harmony close to that long thin line known as the International Boundary.  It is about the boundary itself, which both links these people and helps to define their separate national identities. 

“This book is also a celebration – a joyful recognition of that striking triumph of the human spirit reflected in the atmosphere of peace and friendship which pervades the many relationships between two proud and free nations.  It is a celebration, as well, of the two hundredth anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence, and of the innumerable accomplishments of a great country during two centuries of freedom.

 “No one should think it strange that Canadians should involve themselves in the observance of an American anniversary.  Over hundreds of years we have worked and played together, laughed and mourned together fought side by side against common enemies.  Our two peoples have helped each other repair the havoc of natural disasters, inspired and applauded each other, opened our hearts and homes to each other as to valued and welcomed friends.

 “Let no one seek to devalue the achievements of our friendship by glossing over its occasional difficulties.  It is true that, as is not uncommon among lifelong friends, we have sometimes had serious differences of opinion, misunderstood each other, struggled against each other’s competing ambitions.  Long ago we even fought each other, usually in relation to the very boundary which this book illuminates. 

“The true nature of our international relationship, however, is revealed by the fact that it is defined not by our differences, but by our capacity and eagerness to resolve them. 

“Our International Boundary, and the men and women who view it from opposite sides, have a vitally important lesson to teach other members of the community of nations.  It is well expressed on a plaque marking the border line between Alaska and the Yukon Territory – a plaque which proclaims that the friendship between Canada and the United States is ‘a lesson of peace to all nations.’”

             - The Right Honourable Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, 1976

Blessings to you, my American readers, friends and family. May you have a safe and happy celebration.