November 11th is Remembrance Day. At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause for two minutes, to remember those who have lost their lives in war and in peace support operations, and to honour those who have served and who continue to serve.
This morning, my humans attended a Remembrance Day ceremony at one of the Commonwealth War Graves south of Munich. As part of the very moving ceremony, they paused for two minutes of silence at 11. It was rainy, cold, and windy, typical weather for Remembrance Day. But they didn't mind braving the inclement weather to honour all those who gave their lives for our freedom, and to honour those who have served in the past and who continue to serve.
As many of you know, my human dad is an officer in the Canadian Forces, and I am very proud of him. His grandfather served in the Second World War. Although I have never met him, I am very proud of him and his service as well.
Please take a moment to attend your local Remembrance Day ceremonies. If that's not possible, Canadians can watch the ceremony at the National War Memorial on CBC. At the very least, please pause for two minutes of silence at 11:00.
Also take a moment to reflect on the lines in the poem, In Flanders Fields, written by Canadian physician, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, in the trenches in WW I on May 3, 1915.
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.
In Flanders Fields, by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae
From
Canoe.ca:
Following is a rundown of Canadian casualties in the wars fought since 1899 and in peacekeeping since 1947. (Figures for the First and Second World Wars include Newfoundland, which at the time was not part of Canada.)
Boer War (1899-1902): 277 killed, 252 wounded of 8,300 who served.
First World War (1914-18): 68,260 killed, 173,000 wounded of about 620,000 who served.
Second World War (1939-1945): 45,615 killed, 54,000 wounded of about 1.1 million who served.
Korean War (1950-53): 516 killed, 1,542 wounded of 27,000 who served.
Gulf War (1990-91): No deaths or injuries.
Afghanistan (2002-): 71 killed of more than 10,000 who have served so far.
Peacekeeping (1947-): 116 killed of more than 125,000 who served so far.
The next time you see a veteran, thank them for all they have done for us and our country.
More resources on Remembrance Day:
(Click photo to view a larger image)
