Remembrance Day

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 .

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. 

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Michael McGregor