Lest We Forget

Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day or Poppy Day, is in honor of the end of World War One, which occurred at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

100 years have since past and Remembrance Day has become a time to pay respect to the fallen from all our wars.

It is said that the first moment of silence associated with Remembrance Day was a tradition adopted by British military members stationed in South Africa in 1918. There was one minute of silence to honor the fallen, and one to honor those who had returned.

Today, two minutes of silence is held at 11:00 a.m. on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in many places around the world. Also on this day, National War Memorials have official ceremonies where wreaths are laid at local war memorials and many people lay poppies, letters and photographs on the tomb.

Why are poppies worn on Remembrance Day?

The poppy grew into a symbol of the fallen thanks to the poetry of a Canadian military physician, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae.

In Flanders Fields

BY JOHN MCCRAE

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.

Remembrance Day is a day for all Canadians to remember the men and women who served and sacrificed for our country. It is a day we encourage every individual, young and old, to pause, to give thanks….. and to remember.