LEST WE FORGET... November 11, 2011
The Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located at the National War Memorial in Confederation Square, Ottawa, was added to the war memorial in 2000, and holds the remains of an unidentified Canadian soldier who died in France during World War I.
The unidentified soldier was selected from a cemetery in the vicinity of Vimy Ridge, the site of a famous Canadian battle of the First World War. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was created to honour the Canadians whether they be navy, army, air force or merchant marine, who died or may die for their country in all conflicts - past, present, and future.
Of course today is Remembrance Day in Canada as well as most other Commonwealth Countries. Remembrance Day was first held throughout the Commonwealth in 1919 at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. It marked the time (in the United Kingdom) when the German armistice became effective one year prior. It has been observed ever since to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the military and civilians alike in times of war.
In Canada 110,000 combatants in the two world wars made the ultimate sacrifice and for the past ten years soldiers have continued to make that sacrifice in Afghanistan.
We wear a poppy proudly over our hearts as symbolized by the poppies that bloomed across the battlefields of Flanders in World War I, a vivid visualization made clear in Canadian military physician John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields. This heart moving piece continues to stir us to always remember those who served, but never returned. May we never forget these brave men and women...
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
By John McCrae (1914)
Military Physician
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Remembrance Day.
November 11th, every single year.
The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
The first Remembrance Day was observed in 1919 throughout the countries of the British Commonwealth. Originally called Armistice Day, this day commemorated the end of the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m. ~ the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. That is what it is.
Here's why it is...
Historically speaking, Remembrance Day is a day that "Canadians pause in a silent moment of remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace.
We honour those who fought for Canada in
~ the First World War (1914-1918)
~ the Second World War (1939-1945)
~ the Korean War (1950-1953)
Also, we remember those who have served since then.
More than 1,500,000 Canadians have served our country in this way, and more than 100,000 have died. They gave their lives and their futures so that we may live in peace."
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This is a special time to remember not only all those who both gave up their comfort and safety to serve and protect our country from harm, but also all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. In honour of these brave men and women read my special poem, (see below) written just for them. All Heroes !! It's entitled,
"Honour & Remembrance"
Words fail to adequately say Thank You. FHLMC
 | Honour andRemembrance |
In the distance, a weary-hearted soldier, home on leave,
Stands mourning by a grave, this cold and dark Remembrance Eve.
He cannot help staring at the simple, white, wooden cross,
Realizing, across this yard now marks rows and rows of loss:
Symbols of sacrifice, sorrow, the giving up of life
To preserve their country’s peace from this tired war and strife.
Though night shadows lengthen, grief only deepens and remains;
His cries form voiceless words as he breathes, “Who can heal these pains?”
Suddenly! As if in answer, thunderous lightning hits,
And, in half, an ancient oak tree completely cracks and splits!
But in that same instant, this sad young man falls to his knees
Choked and grieving now for the world’s deep need for peace and ease.
With tear-filled eyes he slowly raised his head, only to see—
Divinely superimposed—there over that wounded tree,
A lonely shadow cast by the grave markers in that yard;
God reminded him of Christ’s hands—for him—were deeply scarred.
There, fixed silently upon that grave, was Calvary’s Cross;
That night he saw his own personal, spiritual loss!
He’s no longer afraid of death’s grave or this war-filled strife,
Because now his name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life!
Yes, he had true freedom from sin and spiritual death
When he received blood-bought Salvation as his life, his breath!
Yes, at this reflective time, we truly honour our dead,
But first honour the Saviour, for Jesus Died—in your stead!
By: Jan Howlett
Peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that,
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
(Romans 5:7,8)
Excerpt from Jan's book, The Treasure of His Company Pg. 60
For war poetry of the World Wars and its poets go to:
Copyright 2009-2012 © Feeding His Lambs Ministries Canada
