Each year on November 11th, Remembrance Day, Canadians are
asked to take a few minutes to remember those who fought and died for our
freedom. We pause on this day in silence to remember those who died in war and
to pray for the victims of war & conflict throughout the world. This is a day to pray for peace, to consider what we are doing as
individuals, as a community and as a nation to bring God’s peace into the world.
We are so fortunate to live in this great country of Canada . . . On
November 11th, every Canadian everywhere needs to remember that our rights and way of
life came at a great cost namely the sacrifice of 116, 000 Canadian men &
women who died fighting for our freedom and by the sacrifice of the other
soldiers who survived those brutal conflicts and wars.
Taking a few minutes to reflect and wearing a poppy is way to show that
we remember what they were fighting for.
We owe these people so much.
I would like to conclude with a reflection/poem written several years ago
by a wife of veteran who died in the war . . . It is entitled “Freedom Road”
by Jacqueline Black. . . Let us recall the sacrifice of those who died fighting for our freedom . . .
They should never be forgotten ones
The brave young daughters and young sons
Who gave their lives so long ago
While fighting those who were our foe.
The brave young daughters and young sons
Who gave their lives so long ago
While fighting those who were our foe.
The world has changed; the time has past
And to some the years have gone too fast
To totally erase the pain they found
When comrades fell on foreign ground.
And to some the years have gone too fast
To totally erase the pain they found
When comrades fell on foreign ground.
Now those of us who they died for
Must continue to stand and keep the door
Open, to honour and to show respect
Not allowing ourselves to ever forget.
Must continue to stand and keep the door
Open, to honour and to show respect
Not allowing ourselves to ever forget.
It was freedom road they did pave
So proclaim your thanks to those who gave
As our anthem plays, sing clear and loud
And on Remembrance Day, wear poppies proud.
So proclaim your thanks to those who gave
As our anthem plays, sing clear and loud
And on Remembrance Day, wear poppies proud.
. . . for
It is the VETERAN , not the preacher,
Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN , not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN , not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN , not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote and the freedom to
assemble.
It is the VETERAN , not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN who salutes the Flag,
It is the VETERAN who serves under the Flag,
ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O
LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM. Amen
So on November 11th, at the 11th hour of this 11th month of the year, please take the time to reflect on the enormous loss that has led to our enormous gain. Remember them. It’s the least we can do . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment
Reader-generated content (comments, posts) remain at the discretion of the blog authors and CCSD. Please refer to the CCSD Social Media Rules of Engagement (on the CCSD intranet).