in memory
It's been many years since I've been home in Canada on Remembrance Day. The last time I was in Canada close to Remembrance Day was in early November 2004, when I was stopping off in Toronto to renew my passport. On my way out of the passport office, I stopped and picked up a poppy, which I kept for several years (occasionally stabbing myself with the pin).
I am a pacifist by nature. I do, however, respect the sacrifices made by those ordered into battle on our behalf. Since I believe in government accountability, I believe we are accountable for our government's choices, in some way, and should therefore show respect for those who've made the ultimate sacrifice. Sometimes the war is justified, and oftentimes it is not...but that does not detract from the loss of life, either way. Let's all just agree that it is a sad thing, that wars continue, to this day.
Remembrance Day, and the poppies, are one of those things that remind me so much of home. Here in China, there's no concept corresponding to this day, that I can find so far. In the US, there are two holidays, but one exists these days to seemingly represent the start of summer, and the other passes mostly unremarked, or moved as a holiday to Thanksgiving week, later in the month...the meaning is diluted or lost. Other countries do a great job of memorializing this day, as you can see here...but I didn't grow up elsewhere, so to me this day is somehow Canadian.
I guess the oddest things can make you homesick sometimes.
I am a pacifist by nature. I do, however, respect the sacrifices made by those ordered into battle on our behalf. Since I believe in government accountability, I believe we are accountable for our government's choices, in some way, and should therefore show respect for those who've made the ultimate sacrifice. Sometimes the war is justified, and oftentimes it is not...but that does not detract from the loss of life, either way. Let's all just agree that it is a sad thing, that wars continue, to this day.
Remembrance Day, and the poppies, are one of those things that remind me so much of home. Here in China, there's no concept corresponding to this day, that I can find so far. In the US, there are two holidays, but one exists these days to seemingly represent the start of summer, and the other passes mostly unremarked, or moved as a holiday to Thanksgiving week, later in the month...the meaning is diluted or lost. Other countries do a great job of memorializing this day, as you can see here...but I didn't grow up elsewhere, so to me this day is somehow Canadian.
I guess the oddest things can make you homesick sometimes.
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