By: Noelle Di Perna

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Photo By Corina Ardeleanu, CC BY 1.0 on UnSplash

November 11, 1918 marked the end of the grueling and tragic First World War that began four years earlier. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand catalyzed the Great War between the Allies and the Central Powers. Over 600,000 valiant Canadian soldiers fought in the war and sacrificed their lives for the greater good and freedom of Canada. Canadians use November 11 as a day to remember the 61,000 Canadian military members as well as the hundreds of thousands of other militia fighting in the war who did not make it home. 

Lieutenant- Colonel John McCrae’s well known poem, “In Flanders Field”, highlights the grievous pain that Canadian militia endured many years ago overseas while fighting for our country. In 1921, Canadians began wearing the poppies that are referenced in the poem to remember the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for Canada’s future. Now the poppy is worn throughout the month of November to honour the great sacrifice those soldiers made for us. 

As easy as it is to overlook November 11th as a regular day, it is important to take a moment of silence to honour the soldiers and other military aid who did not make it home. To honour the families that never saw their loved ones again. To honour the soldiers who continue to fight for Canada’s freedom. Most importantly it is crucial to recognize how lucky we are to no longer live in a war torn country, and hope that all nations can experience the same peacefulness. 

Works Cited 
Marsh , James H. “Remembrance Day in Canada.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 4 Nov. 2021, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/remembrance-day.