The World just became a little quieter today. Byron “Barney” Beirnes was a passionate man. He was a passionate Canadian, had served his country with pride and honour, was passionate about his membership with the Royal Canadian Legion, providing support for his fellow serving veterans, and most importantly, he was passionate about his life with Carol. His friendly and welcoming presence will be missed. The Club Room just became a little quieter today. The words, “coming home” mean different things to many people. For those of us who have served in the military, “coming home” was a time we all looked forward to. It was a time for reconnecting with family, with friends, with loved ones; but most importantly, it was a time to feel safe, a time to leave the uncertainty of deployments behind, to put aside the thoughts of conflict somewhere far, far, away, and just be, “at home”. “Coming Home” for me was an opportunity to sit in a familiar “Mess”, with friends and family, and, most importantly, feel “AT HOME”. Barney was a large part of that feeling. Not only for me, but for my family, and the friends that I would bring HOME with me. I was always met with a welcoming smile, a warm and hearty handshake, and a seat at the table. Although we were years apart in age, we were brothers in arms, had walked the same paths, experienced similar military challenges, and most importantly, understood what “coming home” was all about. The Highland Games just became a little quieter today. For the past many years that I have been returning home, Barney Beirnes was synonymous with the Opening Ceremonies of the Fergus Games. While there may have been some dignitaries on the stage, or seated in vehicles, Barney WAS the opening act. He lead the Legion Colour Party with a formal presence that brought the crowd to their feet as he marched in the Colours and the massed bands. I have always felt privileged to carry the Canadian Flag with the Colour Party and honoured to be invited to do so each year. Although I don’t currently live in Fergus, Barney always made it clear that I was “home”. The Military Family just became a little quieter today. Military people are a little different than most. On average, we are wanders, seekers of adventure, and need a little structure in our lives. Structure. Foundation. Strength. I have been very fortunate in my young 50 years of age. I have wonderful and supportive parents, a wife I probably don’t deserve and love deeply, and a son who knows Fergus as a second, if not, first Home. I am also fortunate to have extended parents and parental figures that have made a significant impact on my life and my career in the Canadian Forces. Barney and Carol Beirnes are two of those people that I consider extended parents. Carol has been apart of my life for as long as I can remember. Carol and Barney have been part of that structure, that foundation, that strength, that makes belonging to the Military Family so wonderful. “Do not go gentle into that good night”. The poem written by Dylan Thomas comes to mind when I think of Barney at this time. Barney did not go gentle into that good night. He was a fighter, he was determined, and he was stubborn! I’m quite confident that he left us in the manner that many of us remember him: letting the next life know that he was arriving. I will not let Barney go gently into that good night. I will send him off in a manner befitting of a soldier who has earned his rest. Somewhere, out there, things just got considerably louder. He will be remembered. Major J. Kent Stewart MMM, CD Deputy Military Advisor Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations New York, New York.