In Canada, as in most Commonwealth countries, November 11th is a day set aside to acknowledge the sacrifices made by the many men and women who have fought in wars for our freedom and way of life, as well as to reflect on the disastrous effects of war on civilians animals, and the land itself. Known as Remembrance Day in Canada, Veterans Day in the USA, and Armistice Day in England, this day was chosen as a reminder of the end to major hostilities of the First World War and the signing of the Armistice “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month”.

In most Canadian provinces, Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday. Children have the day off school and many businesses are closed to allow people to attend ceremonies, remember, and reflect. This November 11th, what can you do to honour the significance of this day?

Talk to Your Children

For many children, Remembrance Day is just another day off school. It’s difficult to remember something that you haven’t lived through or even understand why it is important. Take this opportunity to talk about war and armed conflicts, as well as peaceful alternatives. Some questions you might discuss include:

• How might our lives be different if people hadn’t gone to war?
• How could the situation have been handled differently?
• Why did people choose to go to war?
• What was the impact on their personal lives and the people they knew?
• How can we promote peace now and how can we avoid war in the future?

Wear a Poppy

Poppies are a symbol of remembrance that came from the First World War where poppies grew throughout the fields where fighting took place and around the tombstones of the fallen soldiers. John McCrae refers to them in his poem, “In Flanders Field” which captured the effects and sacrifices made during the war.

In Canada, poppies are available from November 1st until November 11th and the money raised is used to support  services for disabled veterans. Wear your poppy on your left lapel or as close to your heart as possible.

Attend a Remembrance Day Service

In Canada, Remembrance Day services are held in all major cities and many smaller communities.  If you are unable to attend a service in person, many ceremonies are also broadcast live on TV. Ceremonies typically involve a march past by veterans, police, fire fighters, military personal, and some children’s groups followed by speeches, the National Anthem, playing of the “Last Post”, a 21-gun salute, a fly past, 2 minutes of silence, and then laying of wreaths.

Although this is often a sombre ceremony in memory of lives lost and sacrifices made, it also an opportunity to look forward towards peace and hope for the future.

If you go, remember that you are there to show respect. If the ceremony includes the gun salute, it is best to leave dogs at home as they are often frightened by the noise and may disrupt the ceremony with barking. Before you go, discuss the event with your children and remind them to be quiet during the 2 minutes of silence. It can be difficult for young children to be silent for that length of time, especially after waiting through the other parts of the ceremony. You can set a good example for them by respecting that period of silence yourself.

Respect the Two Minutes of Silence

Whether you attend a service or not, take a moment at 11:00 a.m. on November 11th to silently remember and reflect and to be grateful for the freedoms we enjoy because of the sacrifices made by others.

Thank you.