Nov. 11, 2006 - Reflections on Remembrance Day
What I heard in the howling wind last night was confirmed this morning when I saw the layer of fresh snow on the ground. We were heading out to the truck at 9:15 because my daughter had to be at the parade by 9:30 to stand on parade with the Air Cadets. So with no time to change into boots, we shoveled a path to the truck - the little girls and I quite a sight in our Sunday shoes and dresses! But as cold as my toes became, I knew that frost-bitten toes were nothing compared to what the men experienced living in foxholes in the frozen ground in northern Europe during the winter of 1944 with only tree branches and snow to insulate them from the biting wind.
We drove to the arena where the parade was to be held. My daughter found the other cadets, my husband found a parking space, and the other three kids and I found us some seats in the bleachers. We were there a full hour before the parade would begin, yet the seats were already nearly filled. We found a spot and began to wait. The kids had books to read while we waited. I went back and forth between reading a Dr. Suess book to my 4 year-old and watching the men & women on parade form up. At 10:25 my 6 year-old asked if it was almost over. I assured her that it was almost ready to begin! "It hasn't started yet?" she asked.
I admit that as I sat and waited my mind drifted to things on my to-do list at home. I did not begrudge the morning I had chosen to give to the remembrance of soldiers, but a mother's mind is prone to plan, organize, and generally think about the myriads of tasks ahead of her that day whenever it is not otherwise occupied. But as I went over the things waiting for me at home, I wondered if the men serving in the war ever found themselves doing the same thing. I wondered if they ever became impatient, wishing the war would just end so they could return home to their families and to things they left unfinished when the call to duty came. I gave up one morning of my life to remember these men who gave up 3 and 4 years - and some of them their whole lives - to protect freedom and bring peace to a turbulent world.
The ceremony was beautiful, and proudly well attended. Behind the flights of men serving on this base were several flights of men in combat uniforms. These were men who are to be deployed to Afghanistan next month. What an apt reminder to us that we still send soldiers into war-torn lands - that there are those who are still willing to go. I was surrounded in the bleachers by other soldiers in fatigues, and wondered if they, too, were being deployed before Christmas.
I always tear up when I hear the local choir sing the words to the well-known poem, "In Flanders Fields." They sing it every year, and the poem is even more powerful set to haunting music and sung in a large arena. This year I noticed a veteran in the front row wipe his eye. I do not know if he had shed a tear or not, but a lump formed in my throat as I realized that some of those men may be remembering a personal friend lost on the field of battle. I would later be reminded that many at that gathering were doing just that.
Several prayers were said, and Scripture was read. Even though those reading and praying may or may not understand that we can know the God they spoke of personally, it was heartening to know that in this country we can still pray and read Scripture at a public event. Even though Canadians have moved so far from our Christian heritage, there is still a fragment that gives honour to the One True God, trusting Him for the safety of those who go to fight for our country. Indeed, it is because they have gone to fight that we can freely stand and read from the Word of the Living God in a public assembly.
After a moment of silence the wreaths were laid. Each one with solemnity and gratitude. It is good to see the children participate in this, with not only the air and sea cadets laying wreaths, but the scouts and girl guides as well.
Following the laying of the wreaths the Base Commander spoke. He said what has been on my heart all week: Remembering is a great responsibility for all Canadians. He went further to say that this is especially true for those in uniform, who, as our anthem says, "stand on guard for thee."
We stand on guard for thee.
Yes, we do. Our husbands do. Our sons and daughters do. Please don't forget to remember.
At the very end of the ceremony we were blessed with a special memorial video. With background music playing a variation of "Oh Canada," the video showed scenes of our troops at ceremonies much like the one we were at this morning. It showed troops at the funerals of their comrades. Then it showed each of the Canadians who have died in Afghanistan over the past period of deployment. One by one their faces smiled at us. And we remembered.
At different times the uniformed personnel around me saluted, and I knew. These men I was seeing were the friends of those around me. Those I stood among were remembering the friendship of men who had gone to serve and would not come home.
My eyes were not dry, and I suspect not many eyes in that arena were. As those around me saluted I, in civilian clothes, saluted in my heart and silently thanked those who have given all so I and my children can be free. Those who have died, and those who have lost husbands and fathers and sons. How much they have given so my husband and father and son can be free.
Yet the faces that smiled at me from the video seemed to say, "It was worth it." And I began to understand the privilege of dying for what you believe in. These men were willing to die for the protection of those they love. I will not likely ever be in a position to do that, but am I willing? Am I willing to send my husband or son to die for freedom?
Yet there is a greater cause than this. Am I willing to die for my Lord? Am I willing to die so that others might see the saving grace of the Living God? Thanks to those who have died in service to Canada, I may not have to put that to the test on this soil. For that I am grateful.
I was proud to see my daughter standing in the front rank of the cadet flight this morning. Not because she looked smart standing at attention in her finely pressed uniform and spit-shined boots. I was proud that she willingly gave her morning to remember the fallen soldiers. She understands that freedom and peace come at a cost - a very high cost to some - and that those who have paid that price deserve our respect and honour. Yes, I was proud.
Blessings to you on this Remembrance Day. If you could not make it to a ceremony this morning, please take a moment to gratefully remember those who protected your freedom in the past and to honour those who continue to protect us today. And the next time you see a member of our Canadian Armed Forces tell them you appreciate the part they play in the protection of your country.
Heather
