Today is Remembrance day in Canada.
Around the world, there will be people standing in snow, or rain, gazing at wreaths laid in front of cenotaphs, and thanking veterans for their sacrifice.
It’s a moment of silence, a solemn ceremony, marching men, and women, sombre trumpets playing the Last Post. Dark uniforms, some of them brilliant with medals, worn by very aged vets sitting in wheelchairs.
What connection does the ordinary person have to those veterans, and how do we relate to what they gave up in order for us to have freedom. What does that mean to sacrifice? To lose someone you loved to war? To be the one lost?
I know that when I was in high school they tried to hammer it into our heads, with graphic visually shocking photos, loud booming music, and stunningly boring speeches. It didn’t connect. How could it, it simply overwhelmed most of us, and underwhelmed those that wouldn’t listen anyways.
How could I understand, sitting in my warm classroom, living my peaceful life, no regrets other then what my hair looked like that day…
Years later I read stories, and met in person some of those who fought, they took the time to tell us their stories, and it all made sense.
I needed to hear from the survivors of the war in person. I needed to see those faded black and white photos of long lost relatives. To hear how brothers were simply gone, never to be heard or seen again. How sisters and mothers cried when there was a knock on the door, knowing in their hearts what it meant.
How Fathers wept in silence, stoic even in their grief.
That is what makes it real, and that is why I remember.
And I thank them for their sacrifice, because although I was not there at the time, I have so benefited from what they gave for us.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Wonderful post Jen..beautiful poppies! When you are a teenager war and thoughts of war are so far away, and not something I dwelled on either..I did miss some of the war stories being told...I wish I had payed better attention :)
ReplyDeleteMy male relatives fought in wars and my uncle was career military fighting in 3 wars...so I was raised remembering and honoring our vets...when I asked my uncle which war movie, if any, depicted what it was like without hesitation he said Saving Private Ryan. I can see why...I cannot watch that movie again...closer to home my neighbor across the street lost her husband in Iraq a couple of yrs ago leaving 3 children and a gaping hole in their lives...I paid him hommage on Memorial Day in my blog...we cannot forget the ravages of war that are heaped upon the families...
ReplyDeleteTo me the stories about the World Wars are just that, stories. But I read about an Australian losing 3 young friends this year, and that focuses my mind sharply.
ReplyDeletebeautiful, just beautiful,
ReplyDeleteVery moving!
ReplyDeleteIt is talking to the veterans themselves that make it real.
Incredibly powerful post Jen. In the states, we call it "Veterans' Day" - but I, personally, think "Remembrance Day" is more fitting...because it is a day that, while primarily honoring the sacrifices of the veterans, needs to also embrace the sacrifices and losses of the families of those veterans and the privileges and freedoms everyone enjoys as a result of those sacrifices....And while it may have not "connected" in high school, I think it's a worthy subject - we never even discussed it when I went to school. That's sad I think. Thanks for your (once-again) inspiring perspective. Remembering ~ Robin
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written! It is a good time to remember and to count our blessings! ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you Jen for your kind words on my post .. sometimes it is just too close to home for me to talk about .. it helps so much when understanding people leave thoughtful words for me : )
ReplyDeleteJoy
Jen, thank you for this wonderful piece - about sacrifice and peace.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. My very good friend/neighbor has two sons in the military. Seeing her go through what she has since they joined has given me a new appreciation for the sacrifices of, not just those serving in the military, but the entire families as well.
ReplyDeleteI love the textures on the pictures!