Remembrance Day

November 11, 2006 - 12:09pm — Mike McGregors ...
in

I thought I'd share some photos I took at the National Remembrance Day service in Ottawa when I was at school back in 2002 and some thoughts on the Day and what it means to me .

 

Remembrance Day 2002 3

 

Remembrance Day 2002 1

 

Remembrance Day 2002 2

 

As long as I can remember, I've viewed Remembrance Day not just as a a day to reflect on lives of Canadian Soldier lost to and changed by War and Conflict, but also as a poignant reminder of the costs of War and Human Conflict.

Coming from a military family, Remembrance day, and the days leading up to it have always held a special importance to me. Usually around this time, I find my self trying to find a little more understanding and context to events and of the lives of those how have served.  I hope every one can take some time to reflect on the day, the dead the Human Costs of Conflict, and what it means to them

Some have told me that they believe Remembrance Day glorifies War and Militarism, but I've, personally, never felt that to be the case. I believe that by making an effort to remember, we as a society as a whole are forced to confront the fact that war is a costly and traumatic experience for all that are touched by it, the
War Dead, the Veterans, the civilians in a war zone, the families and friend of those who fall in or endure combat. I hope that by gaining an understanding of these costs and sacrifices, we make it more difficult for politicians to send soldiers off to fight when the cause is not worthy the risks to their lives and well-being. 

-30-
Michael McGregor  

 

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November 12, 2006 - 2:40pm — K.Kimura
K.Kimura's picture

I'm back

Sorry,I was writing as the libraly was closing,so I lacked clarity of my thought.

I really wanted to comment on it, becasue I have been thinking about it last few weeks.

I believe that the aim of this campaign is to pay tribute to those who fought, with a wish that we will NEVER AGAIN let it happen.

I totally respect the cause of it. Whatever happened, we are walking on a path that our elders made.

I don't wanna start the same discussion here,but I think what Canada is doing in Afghanistan is simillar to what they were doing in Korea, as they went along with Americans to fight evil communists/terrorists whom I doubt they were real thread to Canada.

So we are oviously sitll making same mistakes, and some people like right wing UWO and student council seem to take the campaign in a different way.

Moreover, since people have different opinion about it, I think its inappropriate to urge people to wear red poppies. I have a problem with this idea,becasue it seems to me that it allegedly excludes the people who chose not to wear it as "not paying a tribute."

It's almost like "I pay my tribute,how about YOU?" and can develop to "I AM Canadian.how about YOU?" which makes me uncomfortable.

But since I do pay my respect,and war is everyone's buisness, I should't be understood in such a superficial way. I'm pretty sure there are peopl feel the same way as I do.

I think we should re-consider the meaning of this campagin.

 

November 11, 2006 - 8:50pm — K.Kimura
K.Kimura's picture

My thought

I do not think that it glorifies the war,but I'm not really sure about its purpose, since I saw the militally vehicles (not the ones that veterans used) lined up on the concrete beach on friday,the army also had the recruitment booth set up in USC,and it was part of the rememberance day ceremony.

Well,I have to get out of the libraly now,I'm gonna post again later.

November 11, 2006 - 1:17pm — Trev McNaughton (not verified)
Trev McNaughton's picture

nice

well said mike!

Did you get out to this years, here in town?  I haven't been since I was in cadets, though my dad still goes.  He was probably there today. 

November 11, 2006 - 1:24pm — Mike McGregor
Mike McGregor's picture

didn't make it out

Nope, I didn't get to the ceremony today, I ended up just watching the National Ceremony on CBC. That's sort of why I decided to do this.  

-30-
Mike.
"We only wear black, but that's just until something darker comes along..." -Anonymous Black Bloc Member.

November 11, 2006 - 5:38pm — Mel Sheehan
Mel Sheehan's picture

Ditoo to what Trev said

I think you summed it up pretty well. I share your opinion of Rememberance Day. I know some people that think that it glorifies suffering and war, but it doesn't. It recognizes the sacrifice made by our forefathers (and mothers)

So much like you to watch CBC, Mike. LOL 

 

Mel Sheehan

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