This was the first year in quite a few that we have not headed out to the Remembrance Day ceremony at Victory Square in downtown Vancouver. I felt a little guilty about that until Aidan stood up and sang Oh Canada while we watched the ceremony at the Canadian War Memorial in Ottawa.
In our house we talk about a lot of things and not all of them are comfortable and I often wonder if I am doing a good job. We talk about war and violence against women. We talk about how to treat people, and how to be someone your friends can talk to and know they are supported. We talk about how people, Canadian soldiers, made sacrifices so we can live the life we live.
Since we didn’t make it to the ceremony today, Anthony took the boys to the cenotaph in Memorial park. A chance for the boys to pay their respects without the hoards of people. I think it resonates with them.
“To all those brave men and women who were willing to sacrifice their lives for us, we are very grateful. To all those who either died or have those terrible memories, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
A remembrance day toast by Aidan Floyd, age 9.
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