Days Of Remembrance

Yesterday was Remembrance day, and although I posted some thoughts on it last week, I guess there's still gas in the tank.

On a sunny windy Wednesday morning last week, the Grade 6 class from the French School were organized to have a little ceremony in St. Alexis Cemetery. Judy Chaisson was one of the organizers, and the idea was to pay tribute to some of the soldiers who were buried there, and also to educate those students on how important remembering those Veterans really is.

It was very emotional.

There was a great turnout. The weather cooperated perfectly, and we made small chat amongst ourselves as we got organized. The walking was easy, with tons of dry crunchy leaves lining the paths, adding to the fallish day.

The Last Post was played, a moment of silence was observed, and we started.

The students had previously collected flat rocks from the shore and hand painted poppies on them. As a soldier's name was called we headed to his or her grave, as a whole body.

When it was my turn I led the group way over to the north side of the graveyard to introduce my father, and I had his military picture to place at the headstone. And his father Henry was buried right next to him, so we were able to talk about both of them. Judy had a supply of little Canadian flags for the students to place in the ground in front of the graves, and the students were invited to place one of their painted stones.

They asked all kinds of questions! One little fella asked me, "Did he have a gun?" "Did he know how to shoot it?" I silently hoped that these kids would never have to do anything like that.

I just wanted to hug them all. They were so respectful and curious, and what a wonderful initiative, I hope it was just the beginning and there will be lots more. At this particular school, the graveyard is directly across the street so it's easy, but it's still a lot of cats to herd. And there's lots of other Veterans who weren't honored this day, but the project could be expanded and researched even more.

To hear the names of the Veterans said out loud, and a story told, was inspiring and I hope the students and their teachers got something out of it.

And yesterday, to see the crowds on the streets in Souris was amazing. It's the same every year, and even the weather was great. It was a super parade, everything went just awesome.

I got to chat a bit with cousins I see there every year, and neighbors too.

And as we wait for the name of our Veteran to be called so we can lay our wreath, I so look forward to hearing my father's name ring out loud and clear. It seems that if someone speaks their name, then it wasn't all for nothing. They were a person.

No matter the circumstances, those who came back went right to work. They built families. They built their communities. They built the country.

Women who'd had to take up the slack at home went into the work force and stayed there, and it changed everything. Thanks to those people who went before us, we baby boomers grew up in a safe and secure country. We take so much for granted. We can marry who we want, go where we want, get an education, have a family, or not.

The returning soldiers lived out their years taking care of the farm or the boat. They went into business, or started businesses. They taught school. Some stayed in the Military.

But they all had a name. A personal thing that makes them human.

How I love hearing that list every year.

When I got home I prepared a quick lunch so that I could watch the Remembrance Day Service from Ottawa. It was moving and poignant and important.

Will there be Christmas trees up this week? You bet! Not here in LRB, too early for me, although meat pies will be made this week. But look.......I've been working on a puzzle for the last two weeks. A Christmas one, so it does have the good feels.

And how about this sneaky little Christmas cactus?

She's in full bloom, some are double blooms, right on schedule for Christmas!! And parked right next is a stack of books currently in waiting, the next one up is a Christmas story.

So to say it's not time for Christmas isn't entirely correct. It's an individual thing. I have one toe in, and pretty soon I'll be ALL in. You do you.

But first and foremost, every November 11, every year, we will remember.