I will never forget

I am trying to imagine the experience of fighting in a war, having to focus all my energy, every hour of every day for months / years, trying to preserve my life.

I am trying to imagine what it would be like to have a family member in war, on the other side of the world, aware that I may never see them again alive.

I am trying to imagine what it would be like to lose a loved one in war.

The truth is that I could never fully comprehend what any of this would be like. I am thankful that others have gone before me to provide the freedoms and privileges that I enjoy today.

I will however, never forget, because I know that history forgotten is almost certain to repeat itself.

Those who have fought and currently fight for our freedom deserve the highest honour that any of us can provide. Never take the freedoms that you enjoy for granted. This is how we honour and show our appreciation.

I will never forget

Poppies

"I don't wear poppies because I don't believe in war," was the response from one of my employees when I handed out poppies on Remembrance Day. I was both stunned and speechless. This ignorant declaration was not from a teenager, but from a middle-aged woman. How is it possible for someone to grow up in this country and not understand the meaning of a poppy?

Perhaps one day of remembering per year is not enough. I can only imagine the anguish that a veteran, or the family of one who lost their life, feels when encountering this kind of ignorance and ungratefulness. We, those of us that have never fought for country and freedom, could never comprehend what these men and women of courage have gone, and go, through. Today's generations take for granted the freedom and liberty that they enjoy. Our freedom to choose where we want to live, who to marry, where to work, how many kids to have, what god we want to worship, the people that we want to legislate our laws and social policy was paid for by the sacrifice and blood of men and women.

The freedom to choose to wear a poppy, or not, was paid for.

If we do not keep history real and fresh in our minds, we will be forced to repeat the lessons of the past.

To: Veterans; men and women serving in the military; and their families; I remember, I appreciate, I am grateful, for what you do and have done for my country and me.

Poppies