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Hi, I'm Karen Ballum. but I'm better know around the web as Sassymonkey. I live in Ottawa, Ontario -- Canada's national capital. (No, I do not wo...
 
 
 
 

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Canada Does Not Break Faith on Remembrance Day

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I've often been told that it's unusual for someone my age to observe Remembrance Day the way I do. People assume that I must have close family ties to someone who served, and my grandfather did serve with the merchant marines, but that's not why. The best answer that I can think of is that I know and once you know you cannot unknow. I've read letters from the front, seen photos, heard stories. I've studied the maps, military strategies and politics. I've seen the tears of those that served as they remember the ones that aren't here with them. Every November 11 I step away from my life to stand outside in the cold, with a poppy on my coat, because I know.

I suppose I could date it back to my brief stint with the Girl Guides. It was my first and only year of Brownies when I was chosen to be one of the flag bearers in my community's Remembrance Day ceremony. I honestly couldn't tell you which flag it was that we carried (possibly the Canadian one) but I remember there was solemnity to the ceremony. Since I was standing at the front of the ceremony facing the entire audience I had to pay attention. I really had to listen. That was the day it started to sink in. It was the beginning of my knowing.

For our thanks, in giving, if oft delayed,
Though our freedom was bought - and thousands paid!
And so, when we see a poppy worn,
Let us reflect on the burden borne
By those who gave their very all
When asked to answer their country's call
That we at home in peace might live.
Then wear a poppy! Remember - and Give!
- Why Wear a Poppy, Don Crawford

The next Remembrance Day that I recall having significance was my first one in university. You see, where I grew up Remembrance Day was not a school day. I was literally stunned when I got to university to find out that not only were there classes on Remembrance Day but there was no formal recognition of the day on campus. STUNNED. This was a school where there were memorials to those students who served spattered about the campus. It was at this campus where I studied history and I'd find the name of the school pop up in history books connected with Canada's involvement in the two World Wars. I took an entire course in Canadian military history there, and there men in that class that whose careers would be in the military. It was largely because of this school that I can say "I know." It was also here that I studied anthropology and the importance of rite and ritual - of ceremonies. And yet there was no recognition of the men and women who called it their alma mater when they were on the front lines.

It wasn't until after university that I'd attend another Remembrance Day ceremony. The year after I graduated they started holding a ceremony, between classes, at my school. What stands out for me that year wasn't the ceremony, but the moment when I asked my boss if he had any objections to me leaving work briefly to attend. Once he recovered from his surprise it was no problem (and I've never had a problem with an employer when I've asked to take time off to attend). The following year several more people at that company joined me for the service.

When I moved to Toronto I started attending the ceremony at Old City Hall. While I was surprised by how few people attended the ceremony (relative to the amount of people in the downtown core at least), my heart was happy with the emotions there. I remember one man in particular. He was in military uniform, wearing the blue beret of Canadian peacekeepers. His pin with P.P.C.L.I identified him as part of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. He was a long way from home. And I remember how a parent with her two children went up to him and asked him questions - about the beret, about his uniform - and how they thanked him. It was also there that I really started to see the first of the modern day veterans and started seeing families lay wreaths for the Canadians that have died in Afghanistan.

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

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Simplebutterfly 5 pts

This is such a beautiful post!

Today as I was walking to work, I had to hold back tears as I thought back over the years of remembrance day services which I've attended.

I'm young (35), but for some reason, I've always felt drawn to the services. 

I've taken my Girl Guides and watched them beam with pride as they laid their wreaths and stood silent or tried to remember the words to In Flanders Fields.

A few days ago, I was walking through the mall and there was an older gentleman, silently sitting in a chair, dressed in his uniform finery with a box of poppies on his lap.  His hands were trembling slightly and I couldn't take my eyes off of him...nor could I stop the tears from welling up in my eyes. 

I understand what you mean about once you know, you can't unknow!

Michellesamom 5 pts

Today while reading "In Flander's Fields" for our mommy group. And you just made me tear up again. Beautiful post.

Michelle writes at Michelle's Blog ( http://michellesamom.blogspot.com )

Crunchy Carpets 5 pts

that is how he met my Grandmother. It was due to his eye sight.

Then at the end of the war he went to Holland to help with the clean up. 

Look for me at http://crunchycarpets.com or check out the ladies at www.wetcoastwomen.com ( http://www.wetcoastwomen.com )

sassymonkey 6 pts

I really liked that post about your son's Remembrance Day assembly. I really don't remember much about Remembrance Day in elementary school except that we learned to read In Flander's Fields line by line (and memorize it that way) rather than by the punctuation and now every time I hear it read line by line I want to scream. ;-)

My grandfather had wanted to be in the Navy but they wouldn't accept him because he was colour blind. He was able to serve with the merchant marines though.

While I don't ever remember talking about rationing with my family I did grow up eating war cake from time to time. ;-)

Sassymonkey ( http://sassymonkey.ca/ ) and Sassymonkey Reads ( http://sassymonkeyreads.ca/ ).

sassymonkey 6 pts

Your comment reminded me of all the stories I've heard, particularly of around Christmas, when both sides sat down their weapons so they could have Christmas dinner or when carols were sung on both sides of the line.

As I mentioned in the post this was my first year attending in Ottawa...it's very different from seeing it on television and also very different from others that I've attended. Much larger.

Sassymonkey ( http://sassymonkey.ca/ ) and Sassymonkey Reads ( http://sassymonkeyreads.ca/ ).

sassymonkey 6 pts

I really don't want to know what the windchill was today but it was cold. I couldn't feel my toes by the end of it. I always end up hoping that the veterans and the men and women who current serve in uniform have access to some special type of thermal underwear that I haven't discovered.

But November does seem like an apt time doesn't it?

Sassymonkey ( http://sassymonkey.ca/ ) and Sassymonkey Reads ( http://sassymonkeyreads.ca/ ).

Crunchy Carpets 5 pts

Who flew in the German Airforce.

When his plane crash landed one day..a family in a nearby farm grabbed him and hid him....they didn't want him to end up fighting again. 

Look for me at http://crunchycarpets.com or check out the ladies at www.wetcoastwomen.com ( http://www.wetcoastwomen.com )

Crunchy Carpets 5 pts

I didn't attend the ceremonies in Vancouver today, but we always watch on TV.

I did however, attend my sons school ceremony and it was lovely...http://crunchycarpets.com/archives/653

My Grandpa did not see active duty in WWII.  He was always ashamed of this and never attended the ceremony's either.  He did usually spend Rememberance Day at the Legion though...to raise a glass in their honour.

My Great Grandfather was in WWI....and survived to be killed later in a coal mining accident.

My Great Uncle was in RAF...had many amazing stories.  My Great Aunt was a WREN..she told many stories of friends never coming home.

My family is Britsh...I grew up hearing about rationing and hiding in bomb shelters.

I will never forget...and therefore, neither will my children.

I only wish that it was just commemorating wars of the past...and not the horrors of the present. 

Look for me at http://crunchycarpets.com or check out the ladies at www.wetcoastwomen.com ( http://www.wetcoastwomen.com )

jessica.schafer 5 pts

Remembrance holds a unique significance for me, because, though Canadian, I grew up in Germany and got the chance to understand and see both sides of the war and the incredible resilience of both people. The area I grew up in, was very anti-Nazi, so I know that there were many Germans who didn't want to fight and were forced to and I remember them, too, on Remembrance Day. 

Three years ago, I was in Ottawa doing an internship with the German Embassy and I got to be part of their entourage at the Remembrance Day ceremony. It was an incredibly beautiful and heart-wrenching moment, standing there with the German Military Attache and Acting Ambassador, yet being Canadian, and remembering the sorrow and heartache on both sides of the wars. 

In Between Words

http://jessicaschafer.wordpress.com

Alanna 5 pts

November seems such an apt time for Remembrance Day, short days and long night, early dark, dreary often.

I'm off to send your own remembrance, your call for remembrance, to my favorite veterans ...

Alanna Kellogg
Kitchen Parade ( http://kitchenparade.com/ ) &
A Veggie Venture ( http://kitchen-parade-veggieventure.blogspot.com/ )