Lest We Forget
“Lest We Forget”, during one of my walks through the SAIT Campus last week, I stopped several times to converse with students I had taught in the past. With one group of young lads I reiterated the above quote and asked them if it reminded them of anything; perhaps a special day; a historical moment or one of the many new released movies. For the most part it was blank stares and muffled responses however, one young lad commented about the poppy pined to my lapel.
“Is that to honor the veterans”, “Not just to honor I said but to show respect and gratitude for the numerous people that gave their lives to protect our freedom”. I asked them if they knew about the significance of the poppy and why it had became a symbol for the veterans. The poppy began to grow in abundance on the battle fields of France and Belgium in World War I because the soils had become abundant with lime from the rubble and debris caused by the fierce fighting. The little red flower flourished around the many gravesites of thousands of war dead. The poppy gained its fame through the famous poem by John McCrea, “In Flanders Fields”, McCrea was a doctor in the Canadian Army during World War I. Flanders field was a British term for battlefields, and much fighting in World War I was done in the Belgium provinces which straddled West Flanders and East Flanders.
I commented to this group of young lads, ‘Did you know that in WW I Canada sent over to Europe 650,000 men of which 68,000 died. In WWII Canada had over a 1,000,000 service people overseas of which 47,000 died. Our aboriginal people had over 12,000 people involved in both wars. Every June 21 st is National Aboriginal Day”. The poppy was adopted by the Great War Veterans Association of Canada on July 5, 1921 as a symbol of remembrance in aid of fundraising. Remembrance Day is celebrated all over the world and is a National Holiday in most provinces in Canada.
In finishing my conversation I encouraged these young men to remember November the eleventh and procure a poppy and to check the side of the poppy box for the saying, “Lest We Forget”, and wear it proudly to Remember.
I believe that we as citizens of this progressive city and majestic country need to ensure that our young populous are aware of their opulent life style and the freedoms it brings, moreover, the numerous sacrifices made to obtain it. Let us continue to embrace their curiosity, provide them the insight and foster an understanding of patriotism. “Lest We Forget”.
James McWilliams
SAFA President