Remembrance

Our family always attends the Remembrance Day Ceremony held at Burnsland Cemetery on Spiller Road. Not only is there a personal connection, but one has no doubt about the sacrifices made when standing among the "crosses row on row". This is the home of the Military Field Of Honour and there are headstones of many soldiers, most of whom died during the Second World War.
Today was a bitterly cold one yet the honour guard stood, in their parade dress, unflinching in the freezing temperatures. It's a tradition for the troops to disperse during the ceremony and pay tribute to their fallen comrades, always a moving moment.
As well, on Thursday past there was a ceremony in this historical site that saw students and military personnel place a poppy on each of the headstones in what was called "No Stone Left Alone". A way for young people to have a tangible connection to those that served or serve on our behalf.
Perhaps we'll see you there at one of ceremonies these next year.

November 11th Is Not A Holiday!

By definition, a holiday is a day of festivity and recreation. I never look at Remembrance day as such. Rather, it is a day of reflection and recollection, lest we forget the sacrifices made on our behalf such that we could, indeed, have the privilege of freedom that allows us to actually take a holiday on other occasions. Though I have the day off and am extremely grateful, my mood is sombre and a few tears will be shed during the ceremony I will attend later this morning.
Thank you to all of the military personnel, for putting yourself in harm's way for all of us here today. And to their families, who suffered, or are suffering, the stresses and strife of their loved ones being involved in such a dangerous duty. I, for one, will never forget your sacrifices.

The Flanders War Memorial for Canada, near Ypres, Belgium

Nova Scotia

Beautiful evening  on the South Shore  of Nova Scotia.