The NHL's Hockey is For Everyone campaign began back in 1998, as a way not only to celebrate diversity and inclusion in the game, but to encourage that regardless of disability, race, sexual orientation, or any of the other thousands of things that make us different, hockey can be enjoyed by all. Canadians have always been proud to say hockey is "Canada's game" but the sport and the culture of hockey has become much more vast than that.

For proof of that, look no further than the relationship between hockey and the armed forces.

In 1918, near the end of the First World War, the Star Spangled Banner was played during the first game of the Cubs versus Red Sox World Series. From then on it continued to be featured at games, growing into the staple it is today.

For hockey, the idea of playing the National Anthem began in 1946, to celebrate those coming home from the Second World War. Originally only the home team's anthem was played, until some time in the sixties when both the Canadian and American anthem were played. In 1987 the NHL officially introduced a rule stating that both anthems were to be played before every game. It is a tradition that continues to this day.

Aside from the anthem, hockey has always been tied to the military. Regardless of the time of year, there are always games where an esteemed member of the armed forces stands at centre ice to the applause of the audience for a ceremony puck drop.

We applaud all those who have fought for our country.

That includes Tommy Prince, an indigenous war hero. Prince had set up an observation post near a German camp and would report their movements back to the Allies. When the post was damaged, Prince disguised himself as a farmer, and walked in plain sight of German troops until he found the damaged part of the wire and fixed it while pretending to tie his shoes.

We honour units such as the No. 2 Construction Battalion, also known as the Black Battalion. Which was created after large protests due to the hundreds of Black individuals who were turned away from serving in "a white man's war." The Black Battalion was the first and only segregated black unit in Canadian military history. Ironically most of the units officers were white, except for Captain Reverend Dr. William A. White, which made him the only black officer in the Canadian Military during the First World War.

We honor Sikh Canadians like Private Buckam Singh who fought for our country in the First World War, even though immigration laws at the time prevented him from bringing his wife to Canada. Other notable Sikh men who originated from India but fought for Canada in WWI include John Baboo of Winnipeg, Ram Singh of Grand Forks, and Waryam Singh of Smith Falls.

We celebrate the lives of those who have recently left us, but served valiantly, like Chinese-Canadian Tommy Wong who despite the discrimination he faced as not a full citizen, rose to be an inspector in the Aeronautical Inspection Detachment, ensuring fighter planes and bombers were fully operational. After the war Wong was one of five Chinese-Canadians who received "The Glory of Chinese" award due to their efforts in granting all Chinese-Canadians full citizenship after WWII.

Even in darker moments of our history, we remember service, such as Ryoichi Kobayashi who was fought in one of the defining battles in Canadian history at Vimy Ridge, where he was shot in the arm. Despite his exemplary service he was one of thousands of Japanese who were put in internment camps during World War II.

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Today the Edmonton Oilers have players from many different backgrounds. Leon Draisaitl is German. There are a number of Swedish players including Klefbom, Larsson, Persson, and Nygard. Those with Indigenous backgrounds like Ethan Bear, Finns, Americans, Canadians, and others. Yet despite the vast differences in backgrounds they have all come together under the logo of the Oilers and their love of hockey.

With that said I hope each and every one of you take some time today to think not only for those who are fighting or have fought for our country, but also for all the individuals who chose to live here because of the fundamental belief that despite whatever differences may exist, that they would be treated with respect and understanding.

Thanks for reading.

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