In my Nation we have a holiday that is shared by many friends in the commonwealth. It occurs on November 11 – the day upon which the First World War ended.
The holiday is about much more than the end of the first great war. It is a time to remember and honor the sacrifices made by fighting men and woman across all campaigns.
November is cold in Canada. There are no beach parties, or pub crawls. It is not a time of jubilant celebration. It is grey and somber. A time of quiet reflection.
Like many Canadians of my vintage, I knew a veteran of the second world war. He was one of the most influential people in my early life. Truly one of the best human beings I have ever had the honor to know. I have been fortunate to also know men who were in Vietnam, and the jungles of Colombia. All impressive in their own way.
There is no mistaking the mark that war leaves upon a man. We consider those who give their lives to have made the ultimate sacrifice. But what of the ones who come back. Those who survive often carry great burdens. They are our remembrancers – and we would do well to attend their stories.
The veterans I knew did their work with me well. They taught me of strength, courage and honor. And they put meaning to the word sacrifice, duty, and loss. I learned the truth – that there is no glory in war.
As they say, those who forget the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.
Let us never forget.
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/remembrance-day
The Wild 
Leave a comment