On November 11th, Remembrance Day, we take a day to reflect on  those who sacrificed themselves for our freedoms that we use everyday. Many soldiers, medics, pilots, men, women & children, gave their lives and their freedoms up for their country so that we would be able to continue living in a free country.

Now I’m not going to get into the history behind Remembrance Day, as there are plenty of better sources to read about our country’s history. However, I just want to touch on the meaning of this day and what it stands for.

These wars may have happened many years ago, but the meaning behind the war is still relevant today. The people fought for those who could not fight for themselves, they fought to stand and protect their people and their country. They fought because they believed in freedom not slavery. They fought because they believed Canada was a place of refuge and peace, not war and genocide. These people had courage beyond all measure, and if we do not remember them, then we have forgotten what we stand for.

We need to remember this in today’s world. There are still many people in our country and in other countries that are slaves of this world. Their voices are not heard and their freedoms are denied. We need to be their voices and help those that we can. I think that is what it means to be human. To help our fellow man and woman. To take care of our children and help raise them to be stewards of people and this earth. I think that is what freedom and peace are all about.

The expression ‘Lest we forget’ is often associated with this day of remembrance. It means “it should not be forgotten.” We do not know what condition our country or world would have been in, if these people did not step up and defend our rights. But we do know because of their sacrifice we get to enjoy all the simple freedoms of life that we simply overlook. Let’s not forget. Let’s take the time November 11th, and every day for that matter, to remember what those people gave for our freedom; and let’s use that as fuel to help those without freedom today.