Tina ThrussellYesterday Neil and I attended the Remembrance Day Ceremony in the parade square at the Hangar Air Museum here in NorthEast Calgary, as we have many times in the past. We know many people who have served in one capacity or another in the Canadian military, and we always choose to honour their service each year on this day.
We were blessed with an absolutely beautiful day – clear skies, mild temperatures and no wind, so there was a good turnout. As I scanned the crowd who had come to honour the thousands of men and women who served in the military, I was awed by how many young people were in attendance. This wasn’t just a sea of grey heads who had fallen comrades to remember. There were young families with small children who were all so respectful and well-behaved.
I was really impressed with this year’s ceremony. A fly-by of two fighter pilots with the Canadian Armed Forces had been arranged and this added a heightened sense of importance to the ceremony.
There were the usual honourings of the men and women of service throughout the last 100-year history of Canada’s military involvement, but there were also many references to the many peacekeepers all over the world who have served in the name of freedom.
More importantly, there were many references to this 11th day of the 11th month as an opportunity – or as they phrased it, our duty – to continue the legacy of those in uniform and make our own personal commitment to peace.
I think every speech from every dignitary emphasized the need to be compassionate, kind, and caring to create peace in our world. It was a call to create a better future that filled me with hope.
Of course, there was also the awareness of the many losses and sacrifices made throughout many wars. And I cried (as I always do during that moment of silence that is preceded and closed with the moving “Taps” tribute) when I thought of how many people lost their loved ones to the ravages of war.
But the padre, who has been a military chaplain for decades, did a marvelous job of bringing us back to the awareness of the possibilities we have now to create a better future. His closing prayer was probably named “Spirit” as he opened each paragraph with the word ‘Spirit.’ “Spirit – Spirit of courage, guide us through the fearful times… Spirit – Spirit of our hearts, let us remain open to one another and our responsibility to care for one another, and the all the creatures of our world… Spirit – Spirit of forgiveness may we let go of the travesties of the past and move forward with an attitude of peace… I don’t remember his many references to Spirit, I only distinctly remember feeling so surprised (considering his vintage) and pleased that he spoke so pertinently to our modern day.
Neil and I both walked away feeling appreciative of the ceremony, appreciative of the many people who have served the world with their intention to make the world a better, and appreciative of this time of respect and honouring that we had shared.
We stand for a world filled with forgiveness and peace… will you?
