Once a year, in early November, we see elderly people sitting in the mall, dressed up in black suits with medals covering them, selling poppies. Some wonder why they sit there all day, selling a simple red flower… Lest we forget… Remembrance day is defined as a commonwealth holiday that commemorates the men and women who lost their lives during the war. It’s observed at the 11th hour of the 11th day, of the 11th month, which is said to be when World War 1 officially ended. That was the first major war that occurred, killing over 9 million people.
That war was just a huge misunderstanding. World War 2 on the other hand was a carefully planned war that lasted 6 years. 50-70 million people were killed during this war. Of these millions of people, 61 million were on the allied side. All of those 61 million people gave up their lives in attempt to create peace and save the rest of the world from what was happening in Europe, Asia and parts of Africa. I wondered, why go to war when you know the risks? I realized it’s not about wanting the violence, it’s about wanting peace and about wanting a better world.
I take part in remembrance day because it is the one day out of the 365 days that we take the time look back at the good people are trying to do in the world. I take part in remembrance day to thank the people who risked their lives for our safety and security. I will always remember wWhen the war in Afghanistan is over, I will remember the men and women who were brave enough to fight someone else’s battle. Before I’m done, I’d like to read a poem about all the people who died and were buried in Flanders Field, where the poppies grow.
In Flanders fields the poppies growBetween the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days agoWe 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 throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders fields.
So why remember the horrible things that happened during the war? Why not just forget about all the terror and pain that war causes? Well if these people didn’t serve in the war, then who knows what today would have been like. They all risked their lives to save us, and for that, I think we owe them something in return. Whether it’s saying a prayer, giving a moment of silence, or buying a poppy, we owe it to them to remember what they’ve done for us. And with that, Lest not forget, because I haven’t and I never will.
