Remembering and Recognizing
My experience of Remembrance Day is based around stories of the Second World War. My grandparents lived through the war and my grandfather served as a fighter pilot. I have a picture of them from their wedding day, my grandfather looking dapper in his uniform. I have heard many stories of the struggles through war-time that have contributed to my understanding of why we Remember – the sacrifices, the deaths, the collective effort to support the troops who ensured that we had a future in Canada.
I wonder how our own children will understand these sacrifices and collective efforts without those who lived it to share their stories. Once all those who lived through the Second World War have passed away, how will we remember? My own grandparents are both gone already and I often wish I had documented some of their stories on video or audio recording. My grandmother had such a wealth of knowledge that is now gone with her.
Redefining my understanding of Remembrance Day is a necessary transition for me. I need to recognize that Canada is still sacrificing, families are still missing their loved ones who are off in foreign lands fighting for us, and soldiers are still dying for the same cause – to provide us in Canada with the freedom and life we are accustomed to.
We must also recognize that these sacrifices we talk about are not always the death of a soldier. There are different types of sacrifices that the families left back home make while their loved ones are serving our country. For instance, my cousin’s husband is a solider and was severing a tour of duty when she gave birth to their second child. Having recently given birth myself the sacrifice my cousin and her husband made for us really hits home. I can not bare the thought of having given birth to my son without my husband’s support or imagine what he would have missed if he didn’t meet his son till he was 3 months old.
My cousin Melissa with her newborn daughter Danikka talking on the phone to daddy who couldn't be there because he was serving our country.
This Remembrance Day I will be working on not only Remembering but also Recognizing the sacrifices that have been and continue to be made for this great country. How will you be spending yours?
My son Parker showing his respect.
~Sarah
Labels: Rememberance Day, Sarah
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