Remembrance/Veteran's Day

[Janke 1st MRB]

Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, Poppy Day, or Veteran's Day, is a day that the countries of the world pay homage to and show respect for those who have fought and died for the defence of their country and freedom. It was started 1919, on the anniversary of the end of WWI, to honour those who fought and died in what was then the most violent and deadly war in all mankind, hence it's nickname, "The Great War." From that war, the symbol of the poppy arose, a universal sign of respect worn in November until, but not after, November 11th, for those who have fought and died for their country. During WWI, Canadian LtCol. John McCrae, a medic for the Canadian Forces, wrote the poem In Flanders Fields about what he observed in the fields in Flanders, Belgium during one of the bloodiest battles in WWI. Before the war, few poppies grew in that field, however during the bloody battle the soil became rich in nutrients from the rubble of war and the blood of the fallen, and poppies thrived there. After the war, however, the poppies began to fade again. During the battle, LtCol. McCrae wrote the poem about what he was seeing.

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. -LtCol. John McCrae. Nov 30, 1872 - Jan 18. 1918.

Since WWII, Remembrance Day has been adapted from showing respect for just the Veterans of the Great War, to showing respect for those who have died in wars and peacekeeping conflicts around the world. Many people think it's just for WWII, which is disappointing. People still to this day are fighting for our country and dying, and those heroes who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country deserve respect as well. The few, the brave, the proud who have served and died for our country deserve the utmost respect, and this day is set aside so that the citizens of the country can show their respect for those brave few.

Wars are bloody, wars claim lives, and if we forget those who have died for us, we forget why we are free today. We forget why our country was established. We forget why we are here. For this reason, we remember the wars, the millions of lives lost worldwide in armed conflicts, and the brave men and women still serving in armed operations today.

Lest we forget.

*Salute*