Lest We Forget: Honouring the Fallen This Remembrance Day
By [Jade Dawn Boon]
As we mark the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month the souls lie with us today. We bring together our thoughts and prayers for those who fought, those who returned to nurturing families and those who weren’t granted that chance to see those people they carried so dearly through their fighting spirits. The whole world gives thanks to those generations of servicemen and women.
Remembrance Day, observed every year on November 11th, marks the end of the first world war in 1918 – a brutal conflict that claimed the lives of over 15- 22 million people worldwide. These souls include 6-12 million civilians from disease, famine and direct action. The 10,000 pigeons that carried messages with pride. The 50,000- 150,000 dogs that found our wounded and guarded our men. The 8 million horses, donkeys and mules that carried our men and died during journeys. The 500,000 cats that boosted morals.The 1,500 nurses that cared for our men in every way they could. 886,000-956,703 British soldiers. The 74,000 Indian soldiers. The 100,000 African soldiers. The 1,500 West Indian soldiers. And the 61,112 Canadian Soldiers. Each of them died in that fight.
Across cities, towns and villages, ceremonies will be held at cenotaphs and war memorials. Poppies inspired by the famous poem in Flanders Field by Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, will be worn proudly over our hearts. A two-minute silence will be held at 11am to reflect the courage and loss.
This year, the message of remembrance is especially important as aging veterans of the Second World War and Korean War become fewer with each passing year. It is a reminder that remembering is not just about looking back, but about carrying forward the values of peace, service, and unity.
Wreaths will be laid, bugles will sound the Last Post, and names will be read aloud — not merely as a formality, but as a promise: that their sacrifices will not be forgotten in our lives.
In schools, classrooms will be filled with stories of bravery, personal reflections, and handmade poppies. For younger generations, these acts of remembrance serve not only to educate but to connect — to understand that the freedoms we enjoy today were hard-won.
As we mark Remembrance Day, we are called to do more than remember. We are asked to reflect, to honour, and to ensure that the lessons of history guide us toward a more peaceful future.
Lest we forget.
Leave a Reply