In Silent Remembrance
November 03, 2008
When the guns fell silent at the end of World War I, on November 11, 1918, it was as if the planet breathed a sigh of relief. The so called “War to End All Wars” was over.Ninety years later we know that November 11, 1918 wasn’t the end of war. The rest of the 20th century and the early years of this one have been times of turmoil, sometimes locally, sometimes globally, even to Afghanistan today.
Yet still we gather to remember. We fall silent and pray at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. We pray with thanksgiving for the sacrifices of those who came before us. And we pray for the safety of our armed forces today and for peace in our time.
More than 118,000 Canadian soldiers have given their lives in the service of their country since Confederation. They have a permanent memorial in Ottawa, in the Books of Remembrance that are kept in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill. Since 1942 each morning at 11 the Turning of The Page ceremony has been held in the Memorial Chamber, displaying a new page to the public for that day in the seven memorial books. The order of pages turned is based on a perpetual calendar, which allows family members of a deceased soldier who wish to be present to plan a trip to Ottawa for the proper day.
A visit to the Memorial Chamber and seeing the names is a moving one, but not possible for everyone. However the Department of Veterans Affairs has made it possible to view the books on-line. You can see them at www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers.
I feel it is important to remember the sacrifices others made for us to have a free Canada today. What do you think?