Remembrance Day November 11, 2007

This is Remembrance Day in Canada. This is the one day a year that we honor our veterans.

On November 11, 1918, The Allied powers signed a cease-fire agreement with Germany at Rethondes, France, bringing World War I to a close. Between the wars, November 11 was commemorated as Armistice Day in the United States, Great Britain, and France. At the time, Canada was a British Colony and the war was also over for us.

My ancestors also fought in WWI. The Tollhurst brothers took part in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. One brother was wounded and his younger brother carried him miles to get medical aid. Then the younger brother went back into the action. At the end of it all, the older brother was blind and the younger brother lay dead in France. Such are the sad stories of war.

As I told you yesterday, my Uncle Bill landed at Dieppe. He was part of Operation Jubilee, which was a disaster. They shot those boys like sitting ducks in a pond. Uncle Bill was wounded - his friend died in his arms on the beach. Uncle Bill recuperated and was sent to Caan, where he was wounded so badly that he was sent home. He knew all of his life that there was a piece of sharpnel near his heart. He lead a normal life, but was aware that at anytime, the shrapnel could move. It did just that in 1980 and Uncle Bill died in his sleep.

We are losing so many of our veterans from WWII. There aren't many left. We need to educate our young people on the role these men and women played in protecting our freedom.

According to Saturday's Toronto Star, there is only one WWI Canadian veteran still living. We lost one in 2007. So the history of that war can only be found in archives and history books.

Thank a veteran today for the sacrifices he gave and is still giving. Shake his hand and show him that he did make a difference.

Why Wear A Poppy

Please wear a poppy," the lady said,

And held one forth, but I shook my head,

Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,

And her face was old and lined with care;

But beneath the scars the years had made

There remained a smile that refused to fade.

A boy came whistling down the street,

Bouncing along on care-free feet.

His smile was full of joy and fun,"Lady," said he, "may I have one?"

When she'd pinned it on, he turned to say;

"Why do we wear a poppy today?"

The lady smiled in her wistful way And answered;

"This is Remembrance Day.

And the poppy there is a symbol for

The gallant men who died in war.

And because they did, you and I are free -

That's why we wear a poppy, you see.

I had a boy about your size,

With golden hair and big blue eyes.

He loved to play and jump and shout,

Free as a bird, he would race about.

As the years went by, he learned and grew,

And became a man - as you will, too.

He was fine and strong, with a boyish smile,

But he'd seemed with us such a little while

When war broke out and he went away.

I still remember his face that day.

When he smiled at me and said, 'Goodbye,

I'll be back soon, Mum, please don't cry.'

But the war went on and he had to stay,

And all I could do was wait and pray.

His letters told of the awful fight

(I can see it still in my dreams at night),

With the tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,

And the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire.

Till at last, at last, the war was won -

And that's why we wear a poppy, son.

"The small boy turned as if to go,

Then said: "Thanks, lady, I'm glad to know."

I slunk away in a sort of shame,

And if you were me, you'd have done the same:

For our thanks, in giving, if oft delayed,

Though our freedom was bought - and thousands paid!

And so, when we see a poppy worn,

Let us reflect on the burden borne

By those who gave their very all

When asked to answer their country's call

That we at home in peace might live.

Then wear a poppy! Remember - and Give!

by Don Crawford