Me and He: Lest We Forget

Remembrance Day was yesterday. I remember going to the school services through high school and our church would have a small ceremony on the Sunday nearest the 11th as well, but it wasn't until my adult life that it became an important day for me. Meeting Joel and finding out he'd been in the Reserves and hearing about war and the Canadian Armed Forces from his experience and perspective kinda made the light go on in my head about all of the things that we should be eternally thankful to all of our Veterans (vets from WW1 right up to Afghanistan and into the future). Joel also now works with several people that have also spent time in either the Reg force or Reserves of the Canadian Forces and that has helped me put a human connection to the stories.

The city that I live in has the largest indoor Remembrance Day ceremony in Canada. This year there were over 7,500 people in attendance not counting the probably 500 people involved in the Ceremony (Veterans, presently serving Forces - some of whom are Veterans of Afghanistan and other wars and peacekeeping missions around the world, RCMP, City Police, Fire Department, all of the Cadets and a few other groups including the Army's Pipe and Drum Band who are super cool).

Remembrance Day always reminds me how thankful I am to live in such a safe country and how thankful I am to the (far braver than I) members of our Canadian Forces both retired and in active duty roles. It also reminds me of how very proud I am of this guy (the one on the right).

Not only did my husband and best friend spend time in the Reserves (although he did not go abroad on any tours of duty) but he is also a pretty darn good Firefighter and EMT/Paramedic. He also happens to be the person responsible for his Fire Department even having an Honour Guard... and what an important group of people this is... paying tribute on days like Remembrance Day, at funerals of Firefighters both on current duty and those retired, and just adding that special and important touches to things like the annual Police/Fire Games, and Emergency Services Week's dinners with the government officials and things like that. So, to my husband "yer like pertty cool n' stuff".

Here are a few more images from Remembrance Day in no particular order (with captions below).

The Cenotaph Guard... have to stand motionless through the whole

service and ceremony. Somewhere around 2 hours.

Our local Army Reservists pictured in the front.

Some of whom have served in Afghanistan.

Many of whom are younger than me.

Some WWII Veterans, marching past the cenotaph and two
Navy Forces personnel celebrating their 100th year in operation.

Fire and Protective Services Honour Guard at the Remembrance Day Service

Getting Ready for the ceremonies at a Fire Hall...

Listening intently to last minute instructions...

New firefighter happy to take part in the day

One of Joel's friends, RJ, served overseas with the Army Reserves (hense the extra medals on his uniform) and now helps teach drill (marching) to the Fire Department's Honour Guard