The Legacy Of The Brave

Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed annually on November 11 to commemorate the end of World War I and to honour those who died in the service of their country. On this day, we pause for a moment of silence to honour those who have served and sacrificed themselves for this great nation. This day is important in the history of Canadians. However, most Canadians are unaware of the history behind Remembrance Day.
Remembrance Day, originally known as Armistice Day, commemorates the armistice agreement that ended World War I. The war officially concluded on November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m., a moment that is still honoured nationwide. During the First World War, approximately 8.5 million soldiers died while fighting for our country. These deaths include combat-related deaths and diseases.
Every year, on November 11, at 11 a.m., we remember the soldiers who lost their lives with two minutes of silence. Many of the events for Remembrance Day often include the playing of the 'Last Post', which was a bugle call that signals the end of the day’s activities in the military, and a reading of the fourth stanza of the poem 'For the Fallen', which speaks about remembering the fallen soldiers around the world.
We honour their lives by wearing poppies for remembrance. We wear them because they were the first flowers to grow in the battle-scarred soil of the Western Front during World War I. The sight of the poppies growing amidst the crosses of the fallen moved Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae to write his famous poem, 'In Flanders Fields'.
Remembrance Day reminds us of the courage and resilience of those who fought to protect the freedom we enjoy today. It is not only a time to look back on the past but also a moment to reflect on the values of peace and unity that their sacrifices stand for. On November 11, we honour them - not just with silence, but with gratitude and a promise to never forget.