Hello everyone,
As you may know, I retired from the Canadian Armed Forces and for several years, I was heavily involved with Remembrance Day celebrations being celebrated here in Canada during the week leading up to the 11th of November.
Being the son of a veteran also has instilled in me a very strong understanding and importance of remembering and more importantly, paying homage to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy.
This week has been no different and it’s been quite hectic, hence my blog being published later and no recording of it. If I may, thank you for participating with me in remembering those who serve and have served relative to this Remembrance Week.
Why We Remember
The hostilities of the First World War ceased on November 11, 1918, at 11:00 a.m. the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
The following year marked the first observance of a day to remember and honour those who died, as well as to give thanks for the sacrifices of those who came back from serving their country.
As an Act of Remembrance, please take the time to stop and think of all those men and women who have sacrificed so much for that freedom:
They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them.
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.
Thank you for sharing this heartfelt message. Your words beautifully capture the deep respect and gratitude we feel for those who have served and sacrificed. Taking a moment on the eleventh hour is such a powerful way to remember and pay tribute to the brave men and women who’ve given us the freedoms we sometimes take for granted. Thank you for reminding us all of the importance of this day.
This holiday is a reminder of what people sacrifice for their country. They endure hardship and even death to uphold an oath to the constitution and the rule of law. I will meditate on this throughout the weekend.
Hey Marc.
Nice post. I often think about the men and women who went to war and did not return – and the effect that must have had on their families, not to mention all the families that never existed because all of those young men who didn’t get a chance to have one.
It makes me sad…
It is important that we continue to remember the sacrifices they made on our behalf, and I will be making sure that my grandchildren honour and respect that memory.
Thanks Marc.
Marc,
While not a veteran myself, many in my family have served. My two Uncles are on the Admiral Nimitz Memorial, having both served in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Thank you my friend for your service and others like you.
You and your family are remembered and appreciated.
Marc – The word “Sir” Does not do justice when I talk to people currently serving or who have served. I have so many people in my life who have served, and I feel indebted to them not because of what they did but how they did it and how they are actively serving whether in uniform or not. I remember! I honor! I care! Your post is not only a reminder but it’s also significant as so many people cannot understand what it’s like to serve in that capacity. We just accept it, and if we are true to the nature of that service, we say thank you. So, to you, Sir, I say thank you for your service in an out of uniform!