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Tuesday, June 3, 2008

A Day To Remember


Here in the USA it is known as Veteran's Day. In Canada it is known as Remembrance Day and is a national Holiday. The number 11 took on a new meaning after 9/11, but it signified freedom long before that.

As a kid I had no idea what it meant. To me it was just another holiday. A day when stores were closed and more importantly, there was no school. I knew about the war, but I was free to play. I knew people died for our freedom, but I could sleep in. I knew my parents had little when they were growing up because of the war, but I had food on my plate and a day to watch TV. The real meaning of the day was distant to me.

Years later my daughter joined the Brownies. The first year she was a member I was setting the alarm to wake us on the morning of 11/11. She had to participate in a parade. Every Brownie, Girl Guide, Cub Scout, and Scout had to participate in this parade in remembrance of those who died for our freedom.

My wife and I left her with the Guide leader and proceeded to the Canadian Legion where we would wait for her. The kids paraded a mile along the coastal roads of Nova Scotia, carrying their flags high and proud. We parents waited for their big arrival. As we waited the veterans began to arrive. Old men now, long past the prime they were, when they fought in the trenches and watched their comrades die. Many came in wheelchairs, some limped, and some still stood strong.

They joined the kids and walked as proudly as they could to the legion, where a band waited. The band played, speeches were made, and on the 11th month, the 11th day, the 11th hour, the 11th minute, and the 11th second there began one minute of silence. It was during that minute that I wondered why I had not stood there in the cold before. Why had I not gotten out of my bed on this holiday and stood with those that fought for our freedom? It took my daughter to make me realize the importance of the day.

I never missed another Remembrance Day.

Many years later, because of work, I was separated from my family. I was in another city, but on Remembrance Day, I heard there was going to be a service in the city square. This was in Saint John, New Brunswick. I put on my jacket and tie, walked the mile to the service and stood in the damp cold and watched those brave men once again march for our freedom. I don't know if it was because I was away from my family or the sight of those old men still walking proudly, but that service sticks with me always.

The Veterans marched, wheeled, and limped to the city square. The mayor gave a speech, the minute of silence came, and when it ended a bagpipe began to play "Amazing Grace." After the first chorus a second one joined in, along with a small band and on the third chorus more bagpipes joined and a brass band began to play. The building of sound, the magic of the moment is something I will never forget. The tears filled my eyes that day as the blood must have filled the trenches in battle. It was a moment burned in my mind forever.

On November 11th, let's all take a minute to remember those who fought for our freedom and those that continue to fight for it.

May God bless them all.

Michael T. Smith

If you would like to email Michael, he can be reached at: mtsmith@qwestonline.com or find more of his writings and bio by going to http://heartsandhumor.com/blog/