Remembrance Day

CANADA | Saturday, 5 January 2013 | Views [290] | View Smaller Image

The soldiers that perished in the war are celebrated and remembered, and Canadians must not forget those veterans that survived and travelled home with physical and emotional scars. To commemorate their heroism and bravery in serving and protecting our nation, the Remembrance Day gathering is a public display of patriotism. The veteran in his creased jacket, trudging with his walker past the “wreaths of poppies” display, is a reminder of the memories and burden of war that will forever haunt our veterans’ remaining years.

The City Centre resonates with silence as the soldiers bow their heads to pay tribute to Canadians lost in war. The sincerity of the soldiers’ homage is magnified by their bowed silhouettes, which fade to the distant towers that reach upwards from the concrete. Like the crosses standing row by row in Flanders Fields, as depicted in the poem by Canadian John McCrae, the lines of soldiers are rigid with purpose. Only the water crystals in their breath shimmer in the bright sun to form wisps of smoke, and then gently fall to the ground as ice droplets.

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The tragedy of war is not just felt by the soldiers, and the veterans but also the surviving families. The heart wrenching sorrow and pain that envelops those left behind to mourn the passing of their heroes, is more chilling than the frigid Edmonton wind. Where is the consolation for the elderly lady that her soldier, Leonard, is honoured, when all that is left are memories of a time filled with laughter, joy and love? Is there a price that is too high to pay for our freedoms, or is the sacrifice of many worth the liberty of millions and a nation?

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Remembrance Day

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