subject: Do They Really Remember? [print this page] Do They Really Remember? Do They Really Remember?
This is a story about a little girl named Jamie. She is nine years olds and attends one of our local schools. Jamie and her family visited our home last evening and after supper the children went to the family room to play while the adults had their coffee. Jamie came to me and asked if she could have some paper and pencil to draw something. I gave her the paper and away she went. Later, while the family was preparing to leave, Jamie presented me with her drawing. I was amazed and surprised to see what she had created. Jamie had taken the paper and cut it into a cross. On the paper she drew several poppies and other crosses and wrote "Solgers died on 1918 in War". As her brother and sister were watching a movie, Jamie was thinking about the soldiers who died in the war.
This week will be filled with activities surrounding Remembrance Day. Kudos to the parents and teachers who have instilled in our children the meaning of what soldiers did and do every day and how much they and their families sacrifice for our country. It is not only the soldiers from previous conflicts but today's children see their own mothers or fathers leave home for Afghanistan and other parts of the world to represent Canada. They know first hand what it is like to miss mom or dad's hugs and kisses every night, or not to be able to ask their parent for some advice with a problem that they have. Families have changed over the generations but their feelings have not changed. Mothers, fathers, wives and children have always kept a vigil for their "soldiers" to return.
Not so many years ago, people wondered if the next generations would even remember the sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers. I can recall conversations that my husband, a career officer who served in the military for 39 years, had with his military friends talking about just that. They discussed the World War I veterans with great awe and respect but wondered if anyone would even remember them in years to come. However, young Jamie has shown that by the actions of people around her and through education, the next generation will remember. Her thoughts and feelings expressed on the drawing she created tell me that our veterans are "remembered" in the minds and hearts of our young people. Thank you Jamie!
On Remembrance Day, we respectfully remember all the soldiers over past generations who served their country during times of conflict and especially remember all those who never rejoined their families and friends. We also respectfully remember all those of this generation who are filling those same shoes today.
