Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day

I'd like to take time away from book reviews and make a post about Remembrance Day. I specifically scheduled this post for 11 am, because it marks the ending of War War I on November 11, 1918.

Why celebrate Remembrance Day?
"We must remember. If we do not, the sacrifice of those one hundred thousand Canadian lives will be meaningless. They died for us, for their homes and families and friends, for a collection of traditions they cherished and a future they believed in; they died for Canada. The meaning of their sacrifice rests with our collective national consciousness; our future is their monument."

I'm a peace loving person. I don't generally believe in war. But our country would not be where it is today without the brave soldiers who have fought for Canada, and continue to do so. On a personal note, my grandparents might not be alive today if the Canadians hadn't liberated the Netherlands when they did. So please take a bit of time today, no matter where you are in the world, to remember those who have fallen for your country. Every day should be Remembrance Day, but today is an extra special time to think about freedom and sacrifice.

In Flanders Fields by John McCrae

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.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.



A few links to information about Remembrance Day:

• CBC's page from 2009, Remembrance Day: Lest we forget
• Veteran's Affairs, A Day of Remembrance
• Wikipedia entry, In Flanders Fields
• Wikipedia entry, Remembrance Day