It comes every year and unlike Christmas it a time to remember, but for us to be thankful for what we have.

We owe thanks to our forefathers who gave of themselves so we can have live a better life for our Families and future generation.

Remembrance Day to me means more than today’s younger generation as my Family grew up with a military background.

My Father (Carl) served in WW 2 as a Paratrooper and no different than today’s veterans they have scars that are not visible to the naked eye.

The scars of war are something you simply can’t forget and while Dad doesn’t get out to the Cenotaph, it’s not that he doesn’t want to.

He once mentioned to me “for the older generation to get out might sound fine, but the standing along with the weather simply makes it impossible.”

Dad spent his time for the UN Piece Keeping and was stationed in Cairo Egypt from 1957 -1958 it was an experience he won’t forget.

Our Families first posting was at RCAF Churchill Manitoba followed by a stint in Trenton followed by Dad’s last posting of Comox BC, until his retirement.

Dad turns 90 next July and while we are apart in distance only, there’s not a day that goes by that as the oldest Son I don’t forget what Remembrance Day means.

I remember shinning his medals, polishing his boots with a “spit” shine and him marching on the parade square in Trenton.

Canada’s efforts in the Second World War involved virtually the entire country whether by serving in the military or by serving on the home front in industry or agriculture.

More than one million Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in the military — more than 45,000 gave their lives and another 55,000 were wounded.

While the great powers made more significant contributions to the war effort; for a country of only 11 million people Canada’s contribution was remarkable.

At the end of the war Canada had grown to become a strong military power with the world’s third largest navy, the fourth largest air force and an army consisting of six divisions.

Take a moment to remember those who gave us our freedom and that must never be forgotten.

From my Family and the extended Sportswave Family OF LAIRD, BRUCE AND WEB-PERSON SARAH “WE THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY”

By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!

Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields