The eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month and all Canadians pause in a moment of silence to remember the fateful morning of 11 November 1918 at 11:00 am when World War I came to a close. We remember those who served our country and those who lost their lives fighting across the ocean. Everywhere you look, a poppy is pinned above someone’s heart.
World War I began 4 August 1914, but the first major battle for Canadians was 22 April 1915 at Ypres. There were three other major battles. The Battle of the Somme starting 1 July 1916, the Battle of Vimy Ridge starting 9 April 1917, and the Battle of Passchendaele from October to November of 1917.
Many Canadians served in this war. Including over 2,800 Nursing Sisters, and around 4,000 Aboriginal Canadians. Over 650,000 Canadians served during this war and in the 650,000, more than 66,000 gave their lives and more than 172,000 were injured.
The war ended on 11 November 1918 when the Armistice was signed. This was followed by the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.
Originally called Armistice Day to commemorate the cease fire agreement that ended World War I, it was celebrated on the Monday of the week of 11 November. In 1931, the name was changed to Remembrance Day and the date was changed to be 11 November.
So, remember to take a moment today to remember those who gave their lives.
I’ll end this post with a poem that we all know, In Flanders Fields by Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae: "In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders Fields"