Hi Escapist. It's Remembrance day, the day in which every Canadian is asked to put aside a few minutes of their lives and stand in silence to remember our countrymen. We remember those who fell in the Boer War, both World Wars, Korea and, most recently, Afghanistan.
Everyone here in Canada grew up in a school system that made students read up about Flanders, hear the poetry and stand in silence. It's a strong part of our culture here.
I'm told that Americans call it Veterans Day. I'm sure the meaning is exactly the same.
My question for you on this solemn occasion is how do you remember the fallen in the moment of silence?
For myself, I have been playing the Last Post on the trumpet for the 11th since I was 12. I played the traditional bugle call for the ceremony in my home town for many years and I would do so in front of people standing in silence. When its over, I try to think of all the people who dreamed of writing books, making art, raising a family and exploring the world who were lost in war. I am thankful that I'm alive in a place in the world where war has not touched the soil of my family since the history of Canada began. I think about the rest of the world and how hard it is to explain why war should never be an option.
Today is a very important day for me personally. I read up on war history as a hobby. Right now I'm reading a book called My GrandFather's War by William D. Mathieson. It's full of letters and accounts of the Great War as experienced by Canadians. Today is the day that I remind myself that no matter how much I enjoy emulating these experiences on screen, I never want to translate that experience into real life.
Well, in less than 10 minutes I'll step outside into the breeze with my trumpet and play the Last Post. It won't be for anyone but myself and I'll stand at attention for a few minutes. It's going to be the second time I've done so alone.
I'm Redlin and I remember. Honor the dead by loving the living.
Go now with peace.
Everyone here in Canada grew up in a school system that made students read up about Flanders, hear the poetry and stand in silence. It's a strong part of our culture here.
I'm told that Americans call it Veterans Day. I'm sure the meaning is exactly the same.
My question for you on this solemn occasion is how do you remember the fallen in the moment of silence?
For myself, I have been playing the Last Post on the trumpet for the 11th since I was 12. I played the traditional bugle call for the ceremony in my home town for many years and I would do so in front of people standing in silence. When its over, I try to think of all the people who dreamed of writing books, making art, raising a family and exploring the world who were lost in war. I am thankful that I'm alive in a place in the world where war has not touched the soil of my family since the history of Canada began. I think about the rest of the world and how hard it is to explain why war should never be an option.
Today is a very important day for me personally. I read up on war history as a hobby. Right now I'm reading a book called My GrandFather's War by William D. Mathieson. It's full of letters and accounts of the Great War as experienced by Canadians. Today is the day that I remind myself that no matter how much I enjoy emulating these experiences on screen, I never want to translate that experience into real life.
Well, in less than 10 minutes I'll step outside into the breeze with my trumpet and play the Last Post. It won't be for anyone but myself and I'll stand at attention for a few minutes. It's going to be the second time I've done so alone.
I'm Redlin and I remember. Honor the dead by loving the living.
Go now with peace.
