Poppies, Remembrance Day

Also known as the Poppy Day in Canada, Veterans Day in the U.S. or Armistice Day in other Commonwealth nations, Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday in Canada expect for the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba.  This day falls on the 11th day of the 11th month of every year and the official ceremony starts at 11am, which was when the First World War ended in 1918.  The day is to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and civilians in times of war.  The official national ceremony is held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, dignified by the Governor General, members of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries.  The ceremony includes a gun salute, a fly-past by the Canadian Air Command, the singing of the national anthem, O Canada and a two-minute silence.

For sure, Remembrance Day is not just to commemorate the dead or to read the poem "Remember Me" but for us to contemplate why wars continue to happen in human history  despite their social problems they cause.  Regardless of the true reasons for war,  whether political, economic or religious and who the ultimate winner or loser might be, there will always be massive loss of lives, casualties, the destruction of families and the environment.  Very often we hear wars are triggered by those superpowers who intervene in the domestic policies of other countries.  These so-called worldwide police intent to declare war for their financial or even personal interest.  Today, I am fortunate to live in a rather peaceful country like Canada, and I am really upset when I hear news of sending our soldiers  to their doom on those so-called peace-keeping missions in Iran, Iraq or Afghanistan. I respect solders who are prepared to die for their country since day one, but what about their family left behind?  I feel for widows who are expecting and for newborns who will never see their parents.  Besides, there will be many children in the country being attacked who will become orphans and homeless.  They will have to be on their own for the rest of their lives.

The reasons of wars are always debatable and unfortunately there is no definite answer.  I really hope the leaders of these super-powers will think twice prior to the the deployment of their war strategies.