Saturday November 11, 2023 | LANGFORD, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends | EVENTS & STATEMENTS by Community Leaders
Today is Remembrance Day. On November 11 each year the contribution of those who serve and have served is recognized in communities across Canada.
There will be Remembrance Day ceremonies in most communities on south Vancouver Island today, and across the country.
Room for peace:
Canada has its challenges, for sure. But we live in a country that allows for room for people, families and communities to have freedom of expression and a chance for peace. While not all of us will be directly related to someone who fought in a world war or overseas conflict, many of us are… even if that goes one or two generations back.
The memories are passed on through stories as well as a level of emotional energy that gets impressed upon people (sometimes that’s called trauma).
Remembrance is important. As a publisher of news, Island Social Trends seeks to tell the news as it happens but also the background to the news that becomes part of the fabric of our country.
History in real time:
Journalism is history in real time, history in the making. Journalists who do this level of documentation about the society around them are actively ‘remembering’ for society, every day.
This year there are two active wars in the world (Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the current crisis of Hamas having attacked within Israel). People can hope for peace on these fronts.
Moment of silence:
One or two minutes of silence is observed at 11 am on November 11, to stand in collective Remembrance of all who have fallen in the military service of their country.
At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the ‘Great War’ (World War I) ended.
Many ceremonies start ahead of 11 am, so that everyone is in place. | See Community Calendar
Some ceremonies include an old aircraft flying overhead.
It’s somber. It’s not for everyone.
Active remembrance:
Attending ceremonies in person might be hard for some to handle emotionally (or physically in cold or rainy weather). Though of course that’s nothing compared to fighting in a war.
Some people will want to watch the live TV coverage of ceremonies from around the region and the country, or reflect in solitude or with family as to the sacrifices of those around them.
Social media provides a way for everyone to mark the day within their community.
Wearing a poppy:
People are encouraged to wear a red poppy pin in the first part of November, up to and including November 11.
The poppies on pins tend to fall off. Many have been taking to wearing a label poppy that has a permanent clasp. With a Canada flag on the clasp is a nice touch.
Free transit:
BC Transit and TransLink are offering free fares for veterans on Remembrance Day.
For Canadian Forces members and all veterans, transit (BC Transit & Cowichan Valley Regional District) had free transit rides during the week leading up to Remembrance Day.
Remembrance on the broader scale:
People are thankful this year for getting through the worst of the COVID pandemic, and hopeful that Canada will get through the current affordability crisis without too many people falling between the cracks.
Adapting to the impacts of climate change on our homes, our safety and the economy is on the minds of many.
Making the effort to do our best in these difficult times honours the sacrifice of those who gave us the opportunity to maintain a democracy and free society.
