It is once again Remembrance Day. In the majority of the provinces and territories, a statutory holiday. This is a day set aside for us to remember the men and women who over the years have given their time and their lives in service of their country and the world. Men and women who have shown great courage and died on foreign soil (as the last war on Canadian soil was the war of 1812).
I know it can be hard for those of us growing up in North America to truly understand the significance of this day. The only way most of us are touched by war is through Hollywood and the news, which often seems surreal. Most of us have not had the chance to speak to veterans or soldiers, but I find this a very poor excuse for having no respect for those who have died. I do not care what your views on war are. War is a creation of governments, not the soldiers sent into battle. Those soldiers are simply brave people who are following orders and want to make a difference, for the better. All that is asked of us in return is a few moments of silence to remember.
A moment of silence. This seems like such a small thing to ask, yet there are so many people who seem to think that taking that time out of their busy lives will somehow completely disrupt their day. Two years ago I was on the Toronto subway system at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. When the subway stopped moving and announced it was stopping for a moment to honour Nov. 11th, a man across from me began tapping his foot, checking his watch, and sighing. I wanted to break the silence to tell him to stop and show some respect. This wasn't some self-centred teenager with no clue about the world. This was a grown man with an expensive watch and polished shoes who couldn't spent one moment showing respect for the men and women who gave up their chance for a Rolex to defend the rights of others.
This video, by Terry Kelly, expresses my feelings at that time, and still.
I respect other people's views on war. I am from a military household, so have a great respect for soldiers, but no respect for war. We have the benefit, in Canada, to knowing our soldier are off, not starting a war, but spending their lives in helping end the war in other countries. I have seen people wishing to stage protests on the war in Afghanistan on Nov 11th, and believe this is extremely poor taste. Remembrance Day is not a day to glorify war or condone it. It, in fact if you listen, tells all the horrors of it. To protest on the day of honour is rude and ignorant.
The reverend in my home town has apparently previously used Remembrance Day to give a political speech on the war in Afghanistan, and this very morning had those out at the memorial having to say the Lord's Prayer. Now I respect other religious beliefs, but I found this very inconsiderate of those not Christian out showing their respect and those soldiers who fell who were no Christian. And what of the Lord's Prayer has to do with the subject at hand? At 11 am the good reverend was still talking, asking for prayer, etc. It was not until nearly 11:30 that they stopped to actually acknowledge the moment of silence. Now I am happy they were out in the cold showing their respects, but it all seems like a nice little act as opposed to something with meaning. If you do not feel it, and do not mean it, stay silent and honour. Do not open your mouth and make apparent your ignorance.
On that note. Rant done. I will leave you with this video a very good friend of mine created last year for this day. One of the photos of a soldier in Afghanistan is even a friend of his.
Watch that and tell me there is nothing to respect.
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