On November 11 at the 11th hour Manitoulin Island will fall silent for two minutes. Those two minutes are a sign of respect honouring the sacrifices of those who gave up everything—especially their lives—for our freedom. As we look around us at the world today, that cherished freedom can seem like it is hanging by the slimmest of threads, making those two minutes even more poignant.
But the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, first officially observed in Canada in 1931 to remember the men and women who have served and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict and peace, is just the culmination of Remembrance Week which runs from November 5 to November 11.
November 8 is Indigenous Veterans Day, a day of recognition of the service, courage and sacrifice of First Nation, Inuit and Metis people in military service.
Many might wonder why a special day is reserved for those of Indigenous roots who served Canada in the many conflicts the nation has faced since Confederation.
More than 12,000 Indigenous people have volunteered their service in defence of the lands upon which Canada rests today. This despite that, for much of our nation’s history, Indigenous people were not considered citizens and were forced to relinquish their heritage, treaty rights and identity to enlist. The observance of Indigenous Veterans Day is an honourable duty for all Canadians, especially in these days of continued reconciliation.
Throughout this beginning of November, the wearing of a poppy is a rite of passage for many Canadians, but it is also the least we can do. Each year, the Legions and cenotaphs across Manitoulin and the nation are packed with those who attend the Remembrance Day events—reciting the promise—“We will remember them.”
Our children in the education system spend much of November 11 learning about the sacrifices of our country’s veterans, those who never returned home and those who did, bearing scars both visible and hidden deep withing their souls, having witnessed horrors we all fervently wish our children will never see.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of people like Little Current’s Linda Bowerman and others across Manitoulin, banners now hang bearing the images of those Islanders who have served their country.
November 11 was once known as Armistice Day, because on that day, the guns of the Great War, the “war to end all wars” that raged between 1914 and 1918 fell silent. It is a suitable day for Remembrance. Although the end of all wars did not come about on November 11, 1918 and humanity’s remarkable capacity for inhumanity has continued nearly unabated through countless conflicts since, the observance of Remembrance Day now stands as a reminder of that promise, a pittance in payment so eloquently encompassed in Canadian musician Terry Kelly’s evocative song ‘A Pittance of Time.’
It is a song that channels our nation’s collective respect for those who sacrificed their lives for us and a welcome rebuke to those who are so wrapped up petty matters who chose to forget.
So, on November 11, at the 11th hour, even if you are unable to attend a Remembrance Day service in your community, choose to spend that pittance of time and keep our nation’s promise. If you are driving, pull over safely and pause on the side of the road in silence, at work stand quietly at your desk, tool bench or cash register and reflect upon that promise. It is the very least our nation can do.
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.”
Lest we forget.
