Remember and
Honour
The Remembrance Day Ceremony has played a major role in Remembrance
since 1931. Every year, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the
eleventh month, Canadians gather to stand in honour of all who have fallen.
Together, we observe a moment of silence to mark the sacrifice of the many who
have fallen in the service of their country, and to acknowledge the courage of
those who still serve.
But not this year, this year ‘officials’ are asking residents to
“remember in place” at home and watch the public service online.
The places where hundreds usually gather every year to remember those
who fought for Canada will be closed and there will be no parade or screens for
viewing the ceremony on site.
A limited number of official wreaths will be placed at Cenotaphs and the
public is asked not to gather to place poppies on memorials. For the most there
will be no Veteran’s parade, no Canadian Armed Forces parade, a reduced colour party
with wreaths pre-positioned such that no wreath bearers or assistants will be
required and no members of the Cadets or Junior Rangers will be present.
None of that matters. The size and scope of our yearly public
acknowledgment of the debt we owe our veterans is not the issue. What does matter is what we do every other
day, as a society, as a country and as individuals to recognise and honour our
veterans. It’s easy to wear a poppy and go to the cenotaph once a year and then
forget. We do it all the time. Maybe this year we can forgo the public display
and replace it with a full time commitment to remember.
The Act of Remembrance
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
We will remember them.
