November 11th is a day on which we remember
We remember those who have sacrificed their lives so that we may live in freedom. We remember the brave men and women who died defending our nation. We remember that without their sacrifices, our great nation might not be what it is today. We remember that on this day in 1918 that World War 1 ended.
Sometimes I do not realize how lucky I am to have been born in a country where I don't have to live in fear of unjust persecution, where I can walk down the street at night without worrying about my safety, where I shake hands with my neighbour rather than look the other way. Many of these things are possible because 100 years ago, young Canadian soldiers risked their lives for our great nation.
John McCrae was a physician before he joined the war. He did two tours of duty, in his second tour McCrae fought in the Second Battle of Ypres in the Flanders region of Belgium. This is where the inspiration for his famous poem came from:
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.
So today, on the 11th hour of the 11th month, take a few minutes to appreciate everything you have and everything you are able to do. It is because of our ancestors that we are where we are we owe them gratitude for our freedom. For many of us, war is only seen through the lens of a TV camera and we will never experience first hand horrors of what its like not knowing whether today might be your last day. By remembering those who lost their lives for us, we recognize that these men and women fought valiantly so that we may enjoy freedom. By remembering the brave soldiers who served their country we appreciate their hardships so that we may live in peace.
