Lest We Forget

I have been negligent in my blogging, but could not possibly let Remembrance Day pass without acknowledging those many to whom we owe so much.

I was in Calgary in late October and my sister, Patti, took me to the Field of Crosses. If you haven't been, I highly recommend a visit to this very moving tribute to over 3000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces from southern Alberta who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy and take for granted.

Each cross provides the name, rank, regiment, age, and date of death. 

Many are adorned with a note describing the service and circumstance of the passing of the member being honoured  researched and written by school kids. 

Just a few of the crosses

Religion, when know, is acknowledged by the marker.  

Stars of David amongst the crosses

Some of the markers are adorned with additional information attached by family members, friends, or acquaintances.  This letter home, describing some of the trials and tribulations of the action at Vimy Ridge during WWI, was attached to the marker of Sergeant Leo Griffith.

Wounded September 28th, 1918. Died September 29th

My father, Harry, volunteered to fight in WWII. While waiting to be called up, he was blinded in one eye in a farming accident and deemed medically unfit to serve. He always felt he failed to fulfill his duty to Canada. Two of his brothers, Joe, and Jay, served in the Army with Uncle Jay sustaining, but surviving life threatening injuries. Sandy's father, Hugh, also volunteered to join the Army and saw action in Europe.  Her mom, Margaret, served with the Air Force in Halifax, Nova Scotia, assigned to Flight Control. 

And this is why Canadians wear poppies in the days leading up to the Remembrance Day services on November 11th.

"In Flanders Fields" is very popular in Canada, where it is a staple of Remembrance Day ceremonies and may be the most well known literary piece among English Canadians.  (Quoted from Wikipedia)