REMEMBER TO REMEMBER in NOVEMBER

Remember to Remember in November

Every day of the year there are reminders to be thankful.  Plastic surgery developed because of war.  We are living in a country where we can gather together standing in formation side by side with the enemy of the past, to remember.  We are reminded by TV, radio, newspapers, red poppies and catchy slogans – “Keep the memory alive”.  November 11^th is even a statutory holiday.

So why is it then that I struggle, asking myself if I really need to bother to attend a Remembrance Day Ceremony!  Can’t I just watch it on TV!  I appreciate that hundreds of thousands sacrificed their lives for what we have today.  I think about their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, classmates, friends and comrades left behind.  Relationships torn apart.  “Dear John” letters written.  Mind numbing enormous sacrifices made by all.  The decisions made on the battlefields that last a lifetime.  There are many stories below the surface.  Stories seldom told.  My sheltered mind can’t grasp having to kill a person I might have played cards, shared pictures and sang songs with the night before.  All this, while sleeping and marching on in the muddy cold rainy weather.

Then I remember the masses that do bother, including those over 100 years of age, some being soldiers we are to remember.  I remind myself of the efforts of the organizers and participants, all who deserve my support.  If they can attend, rain or shine, - so can I.  It is the thoughts of present day living people that gets me out each year to attend the local Remembrance Day Ceremony.  And I wonder if soldiers drew on the strength of those around them to find the drive to move on as they fought for us.

The historical reasons for this day of Remembrance should be enough to get me to attend.  How could I even question my duty to give thanks by sacrificing an hour, once a year, compared to the conditions endured by soldiers at war!  There isn’t a day that goes by that I shouldn’t be thankful.

Lynn Keeling

November 12^th, 2009