Although there most certainly are a number of things we should forget about, are you aware the Bible is full of passages that admonish us to remember? There are over twice as many verses to “remember” than to “forget”, and even some of those actually say “forget not”, which means “remember”.

In November each year here in Canada our thoughts turn to Remembrance Day as a time to commemorate the soldiers whose courage, service, and sacrifices gave us the freedoms and way of life we enjoy today. Almost every family has been touched by war, whether it was the loss or injury of a loved one who served with the armed forces, or the women who kept the factories in operation while raising the children alone. It is important that we honour and respect those who have, and are, serving our country.

We also wear poppies – a symbol of the most bloody fighting of World War I in Flanders, Belgium.  As school children, we memorized “In Flanders Fields”, the poem written by John McCrae, a doctor serving with the Canadian Armed Forces.

So it is that for over fifty years our sister, Edna, attended her local Remembrance Day service to play the mournful sounds of the two dominant tunes associated with memorial services –  The Last Post and following two minutes of silence, Reveille. Although health issues necessitated her sitting on the sidelines this year, she and her husband will still give honour to those who served our country.

At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We will remember them.

How has war affected your family and ancestors?
Do you have any family members who have served in the military?
Have you thanked a veteran for his/her service?