Remembrance Day Services


I am so fortunate to live in a peace-loving country such as Canada and to never have experienced war. Many other people are not so fortunate. I never take my freedom for granted and feel so grateful to live here.

Remembrance Day is this Wednesday on November 11th but today I performed with the choir for two services so I’m in a Remembrance Day frame of mind. 

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been attending Remembrance Day services whether at school or with Brownies and Guides. It was so heartwarming to see the little ones at the service today. It melted my heart to see two little girls laying a wreath and then standing there praying much longer than the allotted time. They were adorable.

Back in the 1980s, I joined the Air Reserve in Montreal as a flute player and took part in many Remembrance Day parades.

I am so happy to still be involved years later with the choir. These parades continue on and children are taught the importance of remembering which is so important. We must never forget the sacrifices that these soldiers made and are still making for our freedom.

Here is a photo I took the other day of the War Memorial in Ottawa where they will hold the big parade on Wednesday that is televised on CBC every year.

I thought this was an interesting angle through the yellow leaves. I was lucky enough to watch the changing of the guard at that moment and I couldn’t help thinking about Corporal Nathan Cerillo who was killed last year by a crazed terrorist while guarding this memorial.

He is one of the fallen who we remember as well as those who fought in the wars this Remembrance Day.

I am writing something every day for the Yeah Write NoMo Challenge for November. http://yeahwrite.me/november-2015/

Comments

  1. chefslastdiet.comNovember 8, 2015 at 5:25 PM

    I remember being a kid, and my Mom saying if X got elected we'd move to Canada. This year with the crazy things going on in the US, I find myself saying the same things. Canada looks better every day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownNovember 9, 2015 at 4:08 AM

      The US does have crazy things going on, for sure. If Donald Trump becomes president, I think we're all in trouble! Hehehe! Canada has lots of craziness as well but maybe on a smaller scale with our smaller population. Thanks for commenting, Nancy!

      Delete
  2. Vidya SuryNovember 8, 2015 at 10:36 PM

    What a loving tribute, Cat! That picture is wonderful. We are lucky that there are people who would lay down their lives for the country!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownNovember 9, 2015 at 4:07 AM

      Thanks for stopping by, Vidya. Yes, we are lucky that so many brave men and women laid down their lives for freedom. I never take my good fortune for granted.

      Delete
  3. RajlakshmiNovember 9, 2015 at 3:32 AM

    Oh wow you played the flute... do you still play it? It must be amazing to be a part of parade. Loved the picture.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownNovember 9, 2015 at 4:05 AM

      It was amazing to march on parade, Raj. I used to really enjoy it. And I played piccolo which was the best instrument to carry. I always felt sorry for the tuba player. Yes, I still play my flute, I'm happy to say. I'm in a concert band and I also play in a group called Tartan and Tea with my harpist friend. Music is for a lifetime! Thanks for commenting!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#MicroblogMonday - Small Actions Do Make a Difference

Image
My family has a band made up of me on flute, my husband on bass clarinet, one son on tenor sax and the other on drums. We play music at the Presbyterian church we attend every third Sunday.  Our church congregation are a traditional, conservative bunch, not known for displaying too much emotion and often I assume that no one cares much if we play or not. Yesterday I was at a funeral for one of the members. A woman came up to me and told me how much she loves to see my sons perform and how the music just pours out of us. She always looks forward to the Sundays when we are performing and how much our music means to her. Her appreciation for our music reminded me that even small actions can have a big impact. It also reminded me that if someone does make a difference, it’s important to thank them and show your appreciation. Never assume that people know already as often they’re like me and don’t think that these small actions are a big deal. Never underestim...
Read more

#MondayMusings Acceptance of Loss and Change

Image
This cartoon certainly touched a nerve this morning and triggered an outpouring of emotion that has evolved into this blog post. I sure miss my mom’s phone calls. That was our way of staying connected across the vast thousand mile distance between Ontario and Cape Breton.  My mom just loved to talk on the phone with friends and family, especially during the last few years of her life when she wasn’t as active anymore. She would come out to the sunroom, sit in her favourite chair (sometimes with an orange cat in her lap) and phone people. She used to put on the speaker phone which I never liked, but she found it easier and my dad could listen in, too. I used to tell her I wasn't a phone person and that I preferred email and Facebook are since I express myself best in writing.  What I wouldn't do for one of my mom’s phone calls now. Miss her every day. I'm adapting and going on, as one must do after losing a loved one, but life is defini...
Read more