Never Forget - November 11

Remembrance Day was important day in my home when I was growing up.

When we could, we would go downtown to the Cenotaph to partake in the Remembrance Day Ceremonies.

Later on, we would watch the Remembrance Day ceremonies broadcast from Ottawa because that way we could actually see the laying of the wreaths. We would sit down and watch, quietly, respectfully and then at 11:00 we would be quiet for a full minute.

A pittance of time. A small amount to give.

My parents and my husband's father were pre-teens when their country was invaded. They lived under occupation forces for most of their teen years. Lived with curfew and being told where they could be when. Lived with soldiers carrying machine guns walking through their streets, holding power over them. Living in fear. My father-in-law's family was evacuated from their home, hid in a ditch while two opposing forces shot over their heads. Broke up and found other places to stay

They were in their teens when the planes started flying overhead from west to east. Wave after wave after wave. Then the waiting as rumors flew around. The Allies, coming to liberate them. Then, finally, the retreat of the occupying forces, the advance of the Allies and then, the war was over. They were free.

The cost was great on either side, civilian and soldier alike. Cities, levelled, people homeless. Lives lost. Every family impacted. After, came the reckoning. The horrors of the concentration camps. The reality of what had been happening came home.

My parents made sure we remembered too. Remembered what our freedom cost.

History is a reminder that if we are not careful, freedom can slip away, piece by piece. We need to pay attention, stand up right now for our own freedoms.

They came at a heavy cost. We should never forget.

P.S. We were fortunate enough to take our granddaughters and grandsons to visit the Netherlands. While there we took them to this graveyard and a museum connected to it. It was a solemn and sacred moment. We explained that this was only one of many.