Have you ever thought to yourself, why is Remembrance Day still important?
After all World War One ended over a century ago. What significance could it possibly still have? Well let this enlighten you.
Armistice Day is at 11:00am on the 11th day of the 11th month dated all the way back to 1918. Commonly individuals today celebrate soldiers fighting for our country by being silent for approximately a minute and wearing a red poppy on the left side of their chest, or over their heart. Generally there are ceremonies that occur at war memorials, cenotaphs, and churches throughout our country.
The anniversary is used to represent the incredible amount of lives dedicated to maintaining peace throughout our world. Not only is this used to remember the First World War, but also the second, as well as the Falklands War, the Gulf War, and conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Millions if not billions of people have sacrificed their lives for their countries, many of those are Canadian.
Men and women woke up each day, not knowing if it would be their last; with the courage and confidence that they were doing the right thing. That it was important to support their country, and fight for rights, and equality and peace throughout. Because of the countless lives that were given up, our society is able to live each day knowing they have constant protection, rights and freedoms and above all the security of being able to live every day with the assurance that you have the power to do whatever, and be whoever you possibly want.
Without the lives given up for our country, without the sacrifices made, where would our world be right now? The meaning of their sacrifice rests with us, and it is our responsibility to keep the memory alive. To teach the future generations about the people who fought for their families, their friends, their morals and beliefs. For the different religions, education, human rights, and so forth.
These wars have been able to make impacts on such a variety of people for so many years, of all different races and social classes. Mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, regardless of who an individual is, there is a way these wars affect everyone in some way.
Even up to this day. One hundred years later, those people who were married and had kids, who had friends and loved ones so far away still matter. The people who spent year after year wondering when it would be over, when they could go back home but still got up and gave it everything they had. The incredible and indescribable amount of motivation and courage it took for these people to fight leaves me speechless.
But still I am going to keep explaining how important it is to keep valuing them and take that couple minutes out of your day, to appreciate the people who gave up their lives for yours. Not only were lives lost, but people did come back in a panicked mental state that would be near impossible to heal from. The scars left behind, both emotional and physical will remain.
Service organizations that offer to help anyone in need after such a trauma still exist. Personally my great grandparents all gave their lives to fight for their family, and friends and for each other; as they met during the Second World War. If it was not for them, I would not be here today. As I can imagine is the case for many individuals.
We often take for granted the many rights and freedoms we have now, as well as the Canadians who were killed in action, or injured putting their own individual future’s on the line just so ours would have guaranteed peace and security.
“Without freedom there can be no ensuring peace and without peace no enduring freedom.” It is important that we recognize our freedom that these men and women fought day after day to preserve.
The countless acts of heroism are beyond admirable, and deserve so much recognition. We need to remember their willingly-endured hardships to ensure peace for everybody.
When war has come, Canadians have always jumped at the opportunity to represent their own country, knowing what results may occur.
They voluntarily decided that it was morally right thing to do. The most selfless act. Men and women came from everywhere, farms, small towns, cities, etc. for many reasons. Whether it was an escape from unemployment, seeking adventure or family traditions people built up all their courage to give up themselves for their country. Again, this needs to be remembered. It is still as important now as it was one hundred years ago, or fifty years ago, or even a decade ago.
he individuals who came forward, and volunteered did not stop to think about the cost. It was known there would be death, destruction and conflict. Although uncertain on how much, men and women did not hesitate to represent their country, their friends, their families, and themselves. To prove various points on the equality and peace we all should be entitled to.
During the Second World War, there were still flocks of people, of all ages. Veterans from the previous world war, teenage boys, so many unemployed, etc. It proves how so many people can come together during a time of absolute crisis and put their worries aside to represent Canada.
If it were you, what would you decide?
On November 11th, we are given the opportunity to take an hour or so out of our days, attend a memorial and remember.
To put our plans aside, and own priorities to recognize the importance of the people who went to war for us. The ones who came back, and the ones who did not.
So on this day, put on the red poppy just over your heart, pay tribute for a couple minutes, value what happened a century ago and continue living your life being grateful for the rights and freedoms you have now.
Because without the sacrifice our country could be a whole lot different. Never take it for granted. It is one day a year we pay special homage to those who were injured and died in service to our country. Their courage and devotion needs to be passed down and remembered forever.
