Lest we forgot?

This year I went to the Remembrance Day ceremony here in Winnipeg. I know, I know, that’s despicable, I should go every year, especially since I’m one of those people who think that allowing stores and businesses to operate is a mistake. It’s all supposed to be about taking some time from our busy lives to stop and remember the ultimate sacrifice that all those brave soldiers made and are making right this very second, to defend not only ours, but others, freedom and way of life. How in any conceivable way can shopping be more important then this? Does this mean we have forgetten? Not quite, but I think it’s the first step.

One thing that really got under my skin was the absence of our recently elected mayor, Sam Katz. Why was he not there? The Premier, Gary Doer and the Lieutenant Governor, John Harvard, managed to take time from their busy schedule to attend. Sam, decided to send some one else in his place. I didn’t quite catch who it was, but it sure wasn’t Sammy. Maybe he had a legitimate reason to be absent, but I doubt it. Next time around maybe people will think about this before they vote for him.

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.

– John McCrae, 1915