Remembrance Day

I took my son to the Service at Queen's Park today. I think it is important that he attend Remembrance Day services. That he learns, remembers and understands their sacrifice.

I wish I could forget his behavior at the ceremony. I didn't think he was behaving too badly/loudly until a guy turned around and angrily asked us to leave. Ooops. I left without a word.
I was upset though (maybe wrongly), my son had every right to be there too. But perhaps I was expecting to much of an active three year old to sit/stand still for 45 minutes. I really did try to keep him quiet/occupied. Apparently not enough.

It was sobering to hear today that veterans are passing away at the rate of 500 a week.
Did you know that there is a Canada Remembers Program? I didn't.

Here is my favorite Remembrance Day poem:

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