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Remembrance Day

Canada's National War Memorial in Ottawa

November 11 is a day when both Canada and the U.S. take time to celebrate and honour the brave individuals who have sacrificed to make each country safe and democratic.  In Canada this is called Remembrance Day, in the U.S., Veterans' Day.

This year is particularly poignant in Canada.  Less than one month ago two soldiers were gunned down in different cities and days in Quebec and Ottawa.  The October 22 death of Corporal Nathan Cirillo, a soldier guarding the National War Memorial, and the killing of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent in Quebec off duty in his uniform two days earlier were truly shocking.  During the Cirillo situation, the assailant was able to enter the House of Commons and come within meters of both the NDP and Conservative caucus rooms.  The Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, was with his Conservative caucus.  The assailant shot at both doors before he was shot and killed.  So these two incidents erased the innocence about Canada's emphasis on inclusiveness helping to prevent jihadi hate crimes here.  Canadians have begun to see their personal safety differently.

The Canadian Remembrance Day observance took place today on that same National War Memorial where Corporal Cirillo died.  The two recent murders brought to focus not only those who served in WWI, WWII, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War but to all the recent conflicts soldiers have or are involved in both here and abroad.  It also pointed out again that no country can consider itself immune from terrorist attacks.  So today we remember.

No cutesy quips or silly photos of knitting today.  Today deserves to be taken seriously.  Lest we forget.

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