In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below…
November 11th is not far away and while to some it is just another day, to many, it is much more meaningful.
The Great War and the battles of World War II may be nothing more than movies and video games to some, but the sacrifice of millions is the exact reason that we can enjoy those very things.
As of next year, the Great War will have ended 100 years ago and VE day was over 70 years ago – lifetimes for most. If you are lucky, you may still have grandparents who participated in the events of World War II and maybe you know all about it, maybe you don’t.
Maybe that old man you see sitting in Tim Horton’s every morning had stormed the beaches of Normandy those many years ago. You don’t need to ask, but you can definitely wear a poppy to show that you remember.
If you see a veteran on November 11th, why not shake their hand and say thank you? Why not listen and see if they have any stories to tell? After all, the past is kept alive through storytelling.
On my mother’s side, my grandmother was a “Rosie”. She worked in a factory that built aircraft – We have all seen the “We Can Do It” poster. I imagine that if you looked into your family’s history, you may find a Rosie as well.
On my father’s side, my grandfather served on the HMS Zodiac in the Royal Navy. He was part of the naval convoys through the Arctic to the Soviet Union, providing vital supplies to the Red Army and Soviet civilians.
In recent years, he and fellow veterans were awarded a medal at the Russian Embassy in London, England. I have heard war stories from my grandfather, but I never really sat down with him and talked about it – I suppose I thought it may be painful for him as he never really brought it up. No matter what, I am incredibly thankful that I had him in my life when I know many people don’t have the opportunity to know their grandparents. Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away and I will be on an airplane when the clock strikes 11am, but I will find a way to pay my respects.
The local Ceremony will be held at the Cenotaph behind town hall on Sunday November 11 starting at 10:30.
Many towns and cities will have a small parade to their cenotaph and I know a lot of people who are out on the road will stop and make time for their moment of silence. No matter where you find yourself, whether it be on the side of the road in silence or standing together at the cenotaph; be safe, be thankful, and lest we forget.
