Remember

As I sat on Friday morning and was doing some chores I realized it was coming close to 11am so I turned on the TV to CBC and watched as the Bugler played Last Post and the camera flashed over the Veterans. It got me to thinking how lucky we are today that these Men and Women sacrificed so much to allow us to live in freedom. I think we sometimes take it for granted what was sacrificed and the hardships that were required to ensure we live in freedom.

My mother was born in Scotland and lived through the Second World War and she provided first hand accounts about life in Scotland and about the bombings and the shortages. She made sure my brother and myself understand the sacrifices and gave us an appreciation. When we were in Europe we traveled to the different Museums and visited the different Graveyards including the Canadian ones in Holland. We also went to Dachau, a concentration camp in Southern Germany which was one of the first camps built. Quite an education for a 7 year old and something that has stuck with me for my whole life.

My Grandfather was in Army in World War 2 and and survived, I never got the chance to talk to him as he passed away when I was very young. My father served in the Army for over 37 years and my brother has been serving in the Army for over 25 years. Neither have been in a war but both have served overseas peacekeeping and my Brother served in Bosnia.

I count myself as lucky to have had the education and experience to appreciate what freedom costs and even though I do not think about the war and what was sacrificed everyday. I do think about it more than on one day a year and I think in our busy lives we need to take time out and give thanks on more than just November 11th.