November 11, Remembrance Day
November 11 is a day of great import to Canadians. Known elsewhere as Armistice or Veteran's Day, Canada's Remembrance Day is a chance for average citizens to pay tribute to the men and women who have made sacrifices for our country in times of war. We celebrate our veterans and give thanks to those no longer with us.
On Remembrance Day, it is traditional to wear a poppy, a small red flower. It is a symbol of both the courage of our soldiers and the tragedy of war and was made famous by Lieutenant Colonel John McRae, a Canadian poet who served our country during the First World War. What follows is his poem, In Flanders Fields.
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.
Many thanks to Sgt Brooker of the Canadian Armed Forces who joined us this past week to speak about the role of the military in Canadian society. His talk was informative, poignant and personal. We all had much to reflect upon and to be thankful for this November 11, Remembrance Day.
On Remembrance Day, it is traditional to wear a poppy, a small red flower. It is a symbol of both the courage of our soldiers and the tragedy of war and was made famous by Lieutenant Colonel John McRae, a Canadian poet who served our country during the First World War. What follows is his poem, In Flanders Fields.
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.
Many thanks to Sgt Brooker of the Canadian Armed Forces who joined us this past week to speak about the role of the military in Canadian society. His talk was informative, poignant and personal. We all had much to reflect upon and to be thankful for this November 11, Remembrance Day.
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