Remembering our Heroes

With the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month approaching, poppies can be seen on lapels all across the Canada.  Thanks in part to Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, the author of In Flanders Field, the poppy has become a symbol for Remembrance.  A visible badge reminding everyone of the ultimate sacrifice made by men & women during war.

"In Flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row"

I can remember back in my elementary school days when we'd all gather in the gym at 10am on November 11th for a Remembrance Day ceremony.  The school would shuffle in a few veterans to share a story with the kids, which wasn't always easy when you consider the attention span of the audience.  There would be a parade of wreaths brought to the stage, usually one wreath for every class, created over the days leading up to the 11th of November.  The wreaths, typically covered in poppies and speaking to a specific battle or person lost during the wars, would line the stage and make a strong visual impact to the audience in-front.  It was like looking at a battle field covered in blood.  Music would be played and everything would build up to 10:59am.  At 11am, everything would go quiet for a moment of reflection & remembrance...it was in those moments that I truly understood what this day, & the poppy, was about.  It's remembering those we lost in war...those who fought & died to ensure our freedom & cherished traditions would continue.  Remembering those who gave their life, so my life would never be in danger.

A couple years ago I was driving back to Toronto from Ottawa, a trip I'd done multiple times.  I was hustling down the 401 and probably listening to the iPod while rocking out with my friend riding shotgun.  When we got past Trenton, I noticed a bunch of people standing on an overpass with flags & poppies.  With each new overpass was more Canadian flags and more poppies.  This was the first time I had been travelling down this stretch of road and seen such behaviour.  I was on the Highway of Heroes and that day was when the body of a fallen young Canadian man or woman was being moved from CFB Trenton to the coroner's office at the Centre for Forensic Sciences in Toronto.  It had become a tradition for people to line the overpasses of this stretch of highway so they can pay their respects to the fallen soldiers.  In 2007, the Ministry of Transportation officially renamed this portion of the 401, the Highway of Heroes.  I have since seen this phenomena a few times and will admit to getting a little emotional on more then one occasion.  It's never Remembrance Day when I see people lined on the overpasses but it's a strong reminder of the sacrifices still being made by Canadian soldiers, in various conflicts around the world.  The Canadians who line the overpasses recognize the ultimate sacrifice that has been made by our Canadian soldiers and come out to honour them.

With Remembrance Day upon us, let us remember the fallen Heroes.  Let us remember all the brave Canadians who lost their life for true patriot love.  Take a moment of silence to remember those who lay in Flanders Field, to remember those who make the 172km trip down the Highway of Heroes, to remember all of those who responded to their countries call so that we may continue to live in peace.