Friday 11 November 2011

Remembrance Day... Lest We Forget

Remembrance Day is one of the most important days in Canada. To me, and to other Canadians abroad, Remembrance Day is a day of honour, honouring those who go out on the front lines, and risk their lives to protect the people. I'm grateful for everything that Canadian soldiers have done to protect the people, fighting in previous wars, and dealing with current global issues. I love Canada, Canada is an amazing county that I'm proud to live in, and it’s a country that has been good to me and my family. While we busy ourselves with school and work and remain protected in this amazing country, Remembrance Day reminds us that while we have all this time in the world, the least we can do is take a small amount of time from our busy lives and remember, remember those who gave their lives to help protect this country, and remember those who still live today, that have done the same. Canada would not be the pristine picture we see today as a free and sovereign nation if we did not have our troops there to defend and risk their lives to help maintain the beauty of this nation. I along with other Canadians thank them for their courage.



While I continue to acknowledge the many Canadians that have sacrificed so much, both in history and now, I still continue to advocate for peace. Don't get me wrong, as mentioned before, I'm very grateful for what our troops have done. These previous wars in history, although interesting to read and learn about, made me realize that war is no longer the answer, and that things can be solved through peaceful, non-violent means (note: the only violence I’m okay with is media violence, basically violence that you see in TV shows, movies, comics and video games, also the violence that you read in books and the violence that you hear in music, because we all know that at least 90% of the violence you see in those forms of media are fake, and that parents should take the responsible initiative for when it comes to their children seeing, reading and hearing violence in the media). That's why I wear and believe in the White Poppy for Peace. It follows the same meanings that the Red Poppy follows, but in addition to that, the White Poppy also symbolizes that while were still thankful, we should learn now that were at an age where people of various backgrounds, including nations, are getting along without settling scores with war, violence and bloodshed. If we can do that as normal, regular people such as ourselves, then maybe we can influence that idea to stop current world conflicts, by using peace. What I love about Canada is that it’s a very multicultural country, and with that we are able to tolerate our differences and easily settle scores in very reasonable ways. I admire that the Canadian Military is doing so by building strong and friendly relations with the regular town folk of Afghanistan, and the Afghan military as well. I also admire the projects that the military has worked on, such as building schools and other important facilities to help give the happy town folk a better life, which is basically a regular life that we in North America are used to, but tend to take for granted (I learned not to take things for granted, for that, I'm grateful for many things). I admire the peacekeeping missions we conduct, a perfect way to build strong relations with other countries and the rulers of those countries. I know Canada has a good reputation for having good, stable relationships with many other countries. So to conclude this entry, I will say this: 


I thank those who are dead, and those who are alive that managed to keep Canada safe and stable to this day. While I remain grateful, let’s not make war the first answer (or not an answer at all, only should it be used if all else fails). Instead continue to keep peace, fight for peace, help those countries in need by doing many things that will give the people of those countries a better life, and continue to build strong, sturdy relationships with the many countries that exist among us. Talking, settling negotiations in a peaceful manner is a good approach. Peace is the best answer, war is not. 


Lest we forget...