Sacrifice is a common word heard on Remembrance Day, but few understand the true meaning of the word, says Warrant Officer Patrick Tower.

Tower delivered a speech on sacrifice during yesterday’s Remembrance Day ceremony at Calgary’s Military Museums.

“I’ve seen sacrifice in the deepest meaning of the word in that while I was in Afghanistan, seven members of my company were killed in action,” said Tower, who was the first to receive the Star of Military Valour in 2006, for leading his comrades after members of the Taliban,  barraged them.

“Four members of my platoon were killed in action, including my best friend,” he said. “And … I truly believe I’m alive today because they sacrificed their lives – and it could have just as easily been me, but it was them.”

While Michael Hornburg may have lost his son Nathan Hornburg, who was killed in Afghanistan in September 2007, he said he doesn’t feel he’s sacrificed.

“I can’t think that I’ve made that many sacrifices. I’ve had a very good, privileged life because other people have done those really important sacrifices for me,” he said.

During the moment of silence at this year’s ceremony, the elder Hornburg said he used the time to pay respect.

“I just say Nathan, Nathan, Nathan, over and over and over.”