November is the time to remember
“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.”
Laurence Binyon
November is the time to remember
On the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour, Canadians will take the time to pay tribute to war veterans. They will remember Canadian sacrifices, achievements and valour.
This year Remembrance Day is more significant than previous ones thanks to the actions of the federal government and its new legislation affecting lifetime benefits to our war veterans. Expect to hear and read lots of information about the new act as protests mount against it and petitions are circulated against the changes.
One wonders why the government has chosen this course of action when it has seemingly supported the military and has become “hawkish” as opposed to peace keepers – Canada’s traditional role in world affairs. So it doesn’t make a lot of sense to many people, even their own political supporters.
But hopefully the political activities do not take away from the many community ceremonies that occur and the importance of teaching young people about history.
In British Columbia we created a new Family Day holiday in February, but really November 11 should be a time for families to get together and share stories of past conflicts and discuss recent events. This is especially important for families involved in the military. Hopefully people take the time to “remember” and not just use this as a shopping day.
Remembrance Day is a holiday in this province but it is not a national holiday. Back east, in Ontario and Quebec, it remains a regular work and school day with time out taken before noon to remember. There is usually national news coverage of the ceremonies centered around the monuments in Ottawa, which is kind of ironic especially this year.
Therefore it is more important this year than ever to show support by wearing a poppy. “Why Wear A Poppy?” is a famous poem found pinned to a pillar outside the British Legion in Lianelli, South Wales. The author is unknown.
If you have never read it, here are a couple of paragraphs from the lengthy poem:
“Please wear a poppy, the lady said,
And held one forth, but I shook my head.
Then I stopped and watched to see how she’d fare.
Her face was old and lined with care,
But beneath the scars the years had made,
There remained a smile that refused to fade.”
“…The poppy there is a symbol for
The gallant men who died in war
And because they did you and I are free —
That’s why we wear a poppy you see.”
“And so when you see a poppy worn
Let us reflect on the burden borne
By those who gave their very all
When asked to answer their country’s call
That we at home in peace may live
Then wear a poppy — remember and give.”
One of the best trips of my life was a visit to the small Belgium town of Ieper, which included spending time at the famous Menin Gate and a visit to the bunker where Canadian doctor John McCrea wrote the famous poem “In Flanders Fields” in 1915.
If you are in Fort Langley on November 19, you will see a number of events celebrating Douglas Day – which recognizes the founding of the province of British Columbia by Governor James Douglas.
There is the annual re-enactment of the proclamation at the historic Fort Langley and other community activities. Langley holds a traditional Douglas Day banquet to honor its pioneers age 70 and over. It is a wonderful event for seniors. Douglas Day was at one time celebrated province wide.