Op Ed: Lest We Forget

Today is Remembrance Day, A day to remember those who served and died. We honour those who fought for Canada in the First World War (1914-1918), the Second World War (1939-1945), and the Korean War (1950-1953), as well as those who have served since then. We just returned from the centopath in the park not far from our home. Wherever we are on this day we stop by the local memorial to spend our two minutes of silence and then read the names of those who served. It is our duty and a show of respect to do so. I always wear a poppy and over the years, especially during my active years within the peace movement, this has now and then been challenged. Some, who claim to want peace, fail to understand that if we do not remember the death and destruction that war is, we are in danger of repeating the mistakes of the past and perpetuate the violence. In fact, we are doing so right now with our involvement in Afghanistan, for example. I wear a poppy as a sign of respect and memory, for my parents who both served in the forces during the Second World War and for all the others who were placed in the line of danger. We cannot forget what has been given. One of my strongest memories is of my father's funeral and the honour guard that was provided by the Royal Canadian Legion, I stood, at attention, as they marched in with the colours and as each one laid his poppy in my father's coffin. We remember so that those who died and were injured did not do so in vain, whatever compelled them to go to war or dragged them there, they gave all and this must never be forgotten. I have little respect for anyone who does not wear a poppy , it does not show support for war or violence but respect for the people who served and suffered. I once had a button with a dove holding a poppy and the slogan; To Remember is to End all War, the poppy carries that message for me , perhaps most of all.