A Soldier Stands Alone. Never Forget Remembrance Day

The picture of the lone soldier standing by the symbolic graves of his companions makes a poignant statement.  For the most part we forget they are out there, fighting for us.  It is the forgotten sacrifice of our soldiers of every age, battle and war.  Remembrance Day is the one day we need to pull together and remember not just our soldiers but every soldier.

Remembrance Day Honour Them

Today our children’s school is holding their Remembrance Day ceremony to honour Canadian soldiers, even though Remembrance Day is actually on November 11.  It is going to be difficult because my children lost their Grandfather, a Canadian soldier, a few years ago.  His birthday just happens to be on Remembrance Day, Nov 11.  So for them it is a double whammy of sadness.  Every year they have broken down during the Remembrance Day ceremony.  We have explained to them that it is better to cry and feel sad then to avoid a ceremony designed to honour their Grandfather and other Canadian soldiers.  There is nothing wrong with feeling sadness over there loss.  It is better to honour them with tears then to not honour them at all.

Remembrance Day - Once a soldier always a soldier

It is real easy to identify a soldier in uniform.  It is much more difficult recognizing the sacrifices of men and women not in uniform, no matter the age.  Sometimes we only see an older face worn from age, not the young vibrant men and women who went off to war, or spent the time learning how to protect us, our homes, children and country.  It is not so much about going off to war, but the willingness to go to war, fight and die.  No matter the war, the age, or the country soldiers deserve our respect for their willingness to protect their people, even die for them. 

We may see an old man or women, a homeless person, a biker, a mom, a dad, a teacher or someone looking for a job.  Behind what we see stands a soldier – remember them all on Remembrance Day, those who are with us and those who are not.  Please wear a poppy to show your respect for the people, even if you do not agree with the wars they have been in.

Never Forget – Remembrance Day by Donato

 

I post this great drawing by Donato with respect and as a reminder to everyone why Remembrance Day is important.  I also do so to remember my Grandfather and my Father in Law.  Both are veterans who are no longer with us.  It is important we honor those few veterans who are still with us as well as those who are no longer here. 

As the bugle played the last post and chorus, the old men stood up proud and tall.  But year after year, their numbers get fewer.  Some day no one will stand there at all.  But we shall never Forget them.