Remembrance and Significance

Remembrance Day was this past Sunday. Known in other parts of the world as Armistice Day or in the U.S. as Veterans Day, we take a moment on the anniversary of the end of the First World War to remember all of those who fought and died for our freedom. We traditionally hear a bugle call the last post and stand for a minute of silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. I know that in light of the sacrifices that many made, this ceremony may seem somewhat trite, but I place great importance on remembering what those in the past have done to provide for us today the many blessings we have.

Being in Paris, I could not actively observe Remembrance Day. I could not even get a poppy to wear on my lapel. I certainly thought about the meaning of the day and in that way observed it internally.

Walking around during the days since then, I realized something. There are little plaques all around Paris - well, there are lots of plaques around Paris. In a city with this much history, there is information on every other building about so-and-so having lived here in 1743. So I hadn't paid any attention to these particular plaques. Now, though, there is a bouquet of flowers on every one. Bound with a tricolour ribbon and a little sign that says 'Mairie de Paris' (Mayor of Paris), they are a silent observation of Remembrance day.

The plaques mark where French people fell during the Second World War. The fighters of the Resistance fought in the cafes and on the street corners. The plaques recognize the sacrifice these people made, marking the places they fell and indicating that they had died fighting for the freedom of France. They remind us.

Coming from a country that has not been attacked since a bunch of rowdy Americans tried to take Toronto in 1812, these plaques jarred me somewhat. They show how close to home the fighting was, how real it was in the daily lives of everyone in the country, and how much individual citizens were doing. We don't have this kind of history in Canada; we have been incredibly lucky.

So let us - all of us - remember what those before us have given. Let us recognize the significance of their sacrifices. Let us recognize how lucky we are.

Lest we forget.