~ Always remember ~
NOVEMBER 11TH IS REMEMBRANCE DAY IN CANADA.
In 2010, my husband and I went on a journey to locate the grave of my Uncle Harry whose Lancaster bomber had been shot down on June 13, 1944, near Cambrai, France. All six crew members perished.
They are buried in a small Allied cemetery in the middle of farmland rather than one of the major cemeteries in France. It was quite an experience just finding it, but that’s a story for another day. When I enquired as to why the graves were in that location, the Office of Military Affairs explained that they had been buried there by the nearby villagers at the time and so would remain close to where they had died. It was immaculately tended … and watched over by curious cows.
As a child, I had always been intrigued by stories about my Uncle Harry, the youngest of 5 boys, and only 20 years old when he died. There were framed photos of him in his uniform with a dazzling smile in my parents’ and grandparents’ homes. You could feel his pride … and their pride …
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In Canada, our Remembrance Day tradition is to wear a poppy
like this one. Most Canadians begin wearing them many days before. This year, two members of our Armed Forces were senselessly killed in Canada in one week in October. Poppies appeared immediately as everyone sought to honour their memory. Their loss has brought a renewed commitment to respect and pay homage to men and women who serve their countries and put their lives at risk every day.
The recent tributes have been unique, and often personal, and this morning I was touched to read about this one.
On the day Corporal Nathan Cirillo was shot at our National War Memorial, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ NHL team was in a hotel directly across the street. They were to play a game with the Ottawa Senators that night. Since there was no way of knowing what sort of attack was taking place on our Parliament, everything in the area went into lockdown. The game was cancelled and the players watched out the windows of the hotel as the situation unfolded.
Yesterday evening the game was rescheduled in Ottawa. Instead of their standard morning skate, both teams went to lay wreaths at the Memorial. There was no publicity. They took along one photographer and a videographer. No fans. They were able to honour our fallen soldiers in their own private way. Well done.
Tomorrow at the 11th hour of the 11th day in this the 11th month, our country will pause for two minutes’ silence to remember those heroes who have given their lives and in respect of all who offer their service … in every country.
Thank you.
I may not be a Canadian but I plan to join you in honoring the memories of Uncle Harry and true heroes in everywhere.
Excellent! That’s a fine sentiment and I’m happy to have your company.
I remember wearing a poppy in my elementary school in Buenos Aires, St. Margaret, but I don’t remember knowing why at the time… My Facebook profile picture is an homage to this.
I was happy to see the selling of poppies here in San Francisco. I don’t remember this being something I saw when I was growing up but I did take notice when I was living in London. We should all honor our vets regardless of where we are.
I’ve never seen poppies in the States but I think it would be a good idea to adopt the custom. In the two world wars, soldiers were fighting for our basic freedoms. The wars today … well, they are much more difficult to comprehend … but the truth of them all is that young men and women have committed themselves to service for their country and often paid the ultimate price or returned scarred forever. Each and every one deserves our respect. You are so right, Brenda.
Remembering those today who gave their lives. Your story is lovely and thank you for sharing it. The Normandy area is rich in war history and fascinating to see. The French repsect the history by taking care of each and every plot – there are many monuments scattered about respecting those who gave their lives.
The reverence and care taken in France with respect to the history of the wars is to be commended. To see this demonstrated in the tiny cemetery in the middle of nowhere was extremely touching. Visiting the Normandy area was an enormously emotional experience for us and this has been the response of everyone I know who has been there. All who can do it, should. IMHO …
I like to think of you in Canada wearing your poppies as proudly as we do here. So sad that this year, the occasion was blighted for you by yet more senseless violence. We have sung an arrangement of John McRae’s poem in our choir. It’s a fine piece, and there are many different compositions that have used this poem: unsurprising. It’s very moving.
It is a “fine piece” indeed, Margaret. Although we always recited it in grade school, I never truly appreciated its depth until I was an adult. I’ve heard a few musical presentations of it and they only added to the emotion of it. I can imagine how moved you felt.
The cemeteries in my native Normandy are filled with Canadian men who fought for freedom in Europe. I owe them mine. On November 11th, the French celebrate the Armistice and still do, although that day became also a day to remember all Veterans. Thank you, Patricia, for a meaningful story and an important message.
The poppies are a lovely symbol.
Evelyne, your words touched my heart. It may sound strange but when we spent time in Normandy, I felt I truly discovered the meaning of “freedom”. It came from the stories of the occupation and the emotion and appreciation that the people of that region express to the Allies to this day. Thank you.