Remembrance Day. A day where we pay our respects to those in the military, past and present, who have kept us safe and make it possible for us to live freely.
I’ll admit, I don’t take part in any of the ceremonies that happen around here, and I don’t watch the live feed from Ottawa. Most years I am working and do my best to pause at 11am to have a purposeful thought of thanks. On years I’m not working I avoid the craziness of the crowds and have a quiet, reflective time at home. I don’t think there is anything wrong with finding your own way to honour those who have protected our freedom, isn’t one of the bonuses of being free being able to choose how to do something?
Every year I do a bit of research in to Remembrance Day, and this year here is what I learned:
- it was first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth and was originally called Armistice Day
- from 1921 to 1930 Armistice Day was held on the Monday of the week of November 11th, in 1931 a bill was introduced to observe Armistice Day only on November 11th, the bill changed the name to Remembrance Day, was passed and the first Remembrance Day was observed November 11th 1931
- more than 2,300,000 Canadians have served in the military, and more than 118,000 have made the ultimate sacrifice
Whatever you are doing this November 11th, I hope you find time to send thanks out to the universe for those brave men and women who join the military, our country wouldn’t be what it is without them.
The Amazing Shrinking Woman 
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