REMEMBRANCE DAY

Today is REMEMBRANCE DAY in CANADA, as well in other COMMONWEALTH countries where we remember the members of our armed forces who died in the line of duty since the end of the WORLD WAR 1.

Remembrance Day is observed on November 11 to recall the end of hostilities of World War I on that date in 1918. Hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month," in accordance with the Armistice, signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente between 5:12 and 5:20 that morning. ("At the 11th hour" refers to the passing of the 11th hour, or 11:00 a.m.) World War I officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on 28 June 1919.

The day was specifically dedicated by King George V on 7 November 1919 as a day of remembrance for members of the armed forces who were killed during World War I. This was possibly done upon the suggestion of Edward George Honey to Wellesley Tudor Pole, who established 2 ceremonial periods of remembrance based on events in 1917.

Flanders Field

The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem "In Flanders Fields", written during World War 1 by Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red colour an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled in the war.

John McCrae

                                                                    In Flanders Fields

                                                           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.