Casualty of War Inspires Others
What is it about Roméo Dallaire that is catching the interest of so many Canadians?
Lieutenant-General The Honourable Roméo Dallaire (Ret.) is a true hero and an outspoken leader for the 21st century. Dallaire served 35 years with the Canadian Armed Forces. While he shares his story, acknowledging his own struggles in the wake of horrifying experiences he’s been through, he inspires others to be vocal about what they believe in.
As keynote speaker for The Salvation Army’s Ottawa and Toronto Hope in the City Breakfast 2011, Dallaire shared his principles of leadership— an openness to people, to ideas, and to taking risks in order to achieve the mission.
Furthermore, he motivated his listeners to address the ethical and moral issues in conflicts and insisted that governments put humanity above political and economic interests. He addressed the increasing importance of organizations like The Salvation Army. “We must be prepared to go beyond our borders to protect and assist all humans, because not one of us is more human than the other,” he declared.
Dallaire’s first recollection of The Salvation Army dates back to the late 1950s where, as a child, he heard the sounds of the Army band on the street corners of Montreal. He goes on to say that, while holding various command, staff, and training appointments in Germany, The Salvation Army had a significant impact on him.
“In the early 70s the Sally Ann was a focal point for soldiers because they sold produce to help families. They also had a thrift shop. And, it was the only place in the whole of Germany where you could get a decent hamburger.(chuckles.)
“The Sally Ann also deployed with us on manoeuvres,” he continues, “sometimes for two months at a time. I remember the hot coffee and support—they were always there.”
The Salvation Army began its work in Canada in 1882, just fifteen years after Confederation. Last year, The Salvation Army helped 1.7 million people but the broken pieces of their lives back together.
“Eighty percent of humanity lives without hope,” says Dallaire. “They live in inhuman conditions and suffer massive abuses of human rights. I would argue that we have entered an era where that 80 percent cannot be ignored. And it’s essential that we treat them equally for them to have and continue to build on hope.”
The Salvation Army believes that human dignity is a fundamental right for all. Its Dignity Project engages people about the reality of poverty in the 21st century and that the fight against poverty deserves our personal attention.