A Simple Act of Remembrance

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Even before Canada was a country, Canadian men and women have defended our freedom for what we have today. Canada is one of the few nations to have never fought a war for conquest, only for the causes of constitutionally restricted monarchical and parliamentary government, freedom of religion and speech; equality before the law; and for the liberty of the individual.

Each succeeding generation owes its material comforts, and enjoyments to the struggles of the preceding generations. The titanic struggles of previous generations date all the way back to the American War of Independence where Canada fought for the survival of it’s liberties and for those of others. Whether under Brock at Detroit, Currie at Vimy Ridge, or Simonds at Scheldt, Canadian soldiers have shown the courage to do what is necessary for the freedoms of the world where others floundered in the face of the enemy.

Canada’s contribution to happiness on Earth has manifested itself in countless ways, yet none more so than the Canadian men and women who go overseas to unknown lands to aid and protect those less fortunate than ourselves.

What greater gift can one give to another than the ability to improve themselves from a state of barbarism to civility. To give children the hope, opportunity, and the means to be happy and prosperous.

The Royal Canadian Legion is running their annual poppy campaign again this year, asking that Canadians simply wear a red plastic flower with a pin through the middle on a shirt or coat above your heart.

Wear a poppy not only to honour those heroes who have fallen in past battles, but also those who still live and breathe amongst us. Let us honour these heroes: they are the stuff that legends are made of. Their courage should be our inspiration; their message, our duty to uphold.

To wear a piece of velvety plastic is the least that any Canadian can do to honour the countless men and women that have helped shape this country, in the past, present and future. To them we owe all our thanks for our current comforts, prosperity, and security.

So wear that poppy with the pride of your nation in your heart and tears of appreciation in your eyes; and to anyone who questions you as to why you wear such a piece of plastic, say, ‘’in memoriam: to our valiant and selfless protectors, fathers, sons, daughters, mothers; our heroes’’.

Emily is in her fourth year of Political Science. She loves studying and academics which follows into her research work. She's a stern black coffee drinker and is a proud Acadienne. When she's not working or doing school work, you can find Emily listening to 70s music on vinyl and watching Parks and Recreation. If you ask her about parliamentary institutions, she won't stop talking.