November marks the annual observing of Remembrance Day which falls on November 11th each year. During the week there will be various events happening to mark this moment of commemoration, not just throughout Canada but also other countries from the commonwealth all united in marking their respects to the fallen. These dates are also observed in other non commonwealth countries, this day is also known to many as Poppy day and Armistice day.

Remembrance Day was created after World War 1 to never forget the memory of the many who lost their lives in this most devastating conflict and of course all the others who have lost their lives in other armed conflicts to date.

The Red Poppy is probably one of the most symbolic emblems that has arisen from this day due to the ‘In Flanders field’ poem. The battle at Flanders is widely known to be one of the most deadliest and brutal of all battles, this battlefield among many was where the Red Poppy bloomed and became an appropriate symbol for the lives lost and the colour of the blood that was spilled during those dark days.

The Poem ‘In Flanders Field’. Was written by the Canuck poet John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

This is an inscription of the complete poem in a bronze “book” at the John McCrae memorial at his birthplace in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

Saturday November 11th – Victory Square – Vancouver
Here at Victory square will be the main gathering for the memorial of Remembrance day, there will be a strong presence from members of the Armed Forces young and old who will gather and unite with the general public to mark their respects at The Cenotaph. Here we will hold our traditional 2 minute silence to mark the end of the 1st world war. The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month (11:00 am, 11 November) marks the time when the armistice came into effect. The familiar Bugle call of ‘The Last Post’ will be played as customary at this event, it is a very haunting tune that is familiar to all who serve and attend this memorial.

Lest we Forget

For more events commemorating Remembrance day in and around Vancouver: https://www.miss604.com/2017/11/remembrance-day-ceremonies-around-metro-vancouver-2017.html