Remembrance Day is approaching.
It means different things to different people. For some, especially for those who have family who have served or are currently serving their country, it's a chance to reflect on their service. For others, it's a chance to honour those who have helped preserve our freedoms. And then there are those who sadly view it as just another day off – an unsettling reality, but thanks to those who have served, they have the freedom to take such a lackadaisical attitude.
It's definitely an important time in my family. On my mother's side, my grandfather Leguee was a member of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals during the Second World War, relaying important information to troops. We can only imagine how different that task was in the 1940s than it would be today.
I knew there was a deep connection to the Canadian Armed Forces on my father's side of the family, but I didn't realize how deep it was until our Willberg family reunion in August. Ten people on dad's side of the family have served our country, and a distant relative served in the U.S.
Many of us will wear a poppy until Nov. 11 in a simple, symbolic act of remembrance. (Please remember that by purchasing a poppy, you're supporting veterans in the community).
Schools will be hosting Remembrance Day services this week, and we hope the stories that the children hear will resonate with them as they grow older. While we always have to be careful when it comes to teaching children about topics such as war, it's still important for them to learn about Canada's military accomplishments in history and social studies classes. The old adage rings true: those who don't learn from the mistakes of the past are only doomed to repeat them.
Current and recent events in our province are a good reminder of the importance of Remembrance Day and the members of the Canadian Armed Forces past. We just had a provincial election. We have a civic election coming up (at least for those of us who are in communities where an election will take place on Nov. 13).
We have the freedom to vote for the party or the candidate of our choosing, in a fair, democratic and honest election, without having to worry about armed soldiers at polling stations or threats against our lives for voting against the government. Why do we have these freedoms? Because of those who have served our country in previous generations.
Yes, it's been 79 years since those freedoms were threatened in the Second World War, but we still owe a great deal to those who served our country in that conflict, and those who continue to serve today.
Remembrance Day services in Estevan have had varied attendance in recent years. While the Afghanistan War resulted in renewed support for the members of the Canadian Armed Forces, it didn't always translate into bigger numbers attending on Nov. 11. There have been years in which there has been more people present, most recently the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War in 2018, but we've seen fewer people in recent years.
Obviously not everybody can be at a Remembrance Day service. Some people have jobs that require them to be at work. It would be nice if every business was closed until noon or 1 p.m. on Remembrance Day, but that's not a realistic expectation. Some places need to be open. Some people need to be at work.
But if you're able to attend a Remembrance Day service in your community, please do so. Or at least pause for a few minutes to remember.
And, if possible, take the time to learn a thing or two about our nation's military history. (It sure beats playing video games or watching TikTok videos). Our military has a great history and has punched above its weight time after time, whether it be the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917, our contributions to the D-Day invasion at Normandy, France, in 1944, or liberating The Netherlands following D-Day. We've done some amazing things on the battlefields in the past, we've made significant contributions as peacekeepers, and the skill and courage of the Canadian Forces create positive impressions of Canada around the world.
This is a very important day. It's not just a chance to get caught up on your sleep, nor is it a day to get some additional clean-up work done around the house or to set up your Christmas decorations.
We'd like to see a full house at the Estevan Comprehensive School's gymnasium for Remembrance Day this year. After all, taking 60-90 minutes out of your Monday isn't much when you consider what they've done for us.
