Remembrance Day 2007, Cambridge OntarioNovember 11, 2008 is the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I. There are few people around who remember it personally and time has reduced the impact of personal suffering and sacrifice experienced in this chapter of our history. There were 68,000 Canadians who died in this war when the country's population in 1915 was only eight million people. Proportionately, compared to the current Canadian population, 290,000 troops would have been killed in Afghanistan in the past four years.
Vigile 1914-1918 Vigil is a lighted memorial to honour the fallen from the Great War. From the website...
"At sunset November 4th through to sunrise November 11th, this site will present a vigil commemorating the 68,000 Canadians who lost their lives in WWI. The names of the 68,000 war dead will be projected over a week of nights onto the National War Memorial in Ottawa, buildings in other regions of Canada and onto the side of Canada House in Trafalgar Square in London, England."
Queen Elizabeth launched the trans-Atlantic event in Trafalgar Square, London on November 4th. Halifax, Fredericton, Ottawa, Toronto, Regina and Edmonton are participating in the Vigil here in Canada. By dawn on November 11th, all 68,000 names will have been projected in these cities as well as on the internet.
Each name represents a son, a brother, a husband, an uncle, a friend, a hero. Many were barely into adulthood when their lives were cut short.
How easy it is to forget.
We must remember.
"Those who cannot remember the past
are condemned to repeat it."
George Santayana
We must remember.
"Those who cannot remember the past
are condemned to repeat it."
George Santayana
Beautiful post in honor - thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute for those who sacrificed all.
ReplyDeleteVery nice post! Besides Christmas and Easter...this is one of the most important days on the calender.
ReplyDeleteThis day has special meaning to me as a family friend died in our most recent war. I hope everybody will take the time tomorrow and remember our fallen soldiers was lives were given up so we could live. REST IN PEACE.
Wonderful post. Very moving.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful post.....and you are right we must never forget.......
ReplyDeleteRuth,
ReplyDeleteSuch a fitting tribute to Canadian veterans. Thank you for this look at what our country is doing to remember.
I have never visited McCrae house, but would like to. I've heard the gardens are beautiful and the museum is a great tribute.
It is important that we remember those who went before and sacrificed all, that we could live in freedom. Thank you for such a great tribute to the men and women in uniform.
Blessings,
Mary
PS. I've added a link to your tribute to my Remembrance Day post.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful post and tribute in memory of such a tragic loss.
ReplyDeleteMonuments like that have a way of helping us remember, in a way we wouldn't be able to do collectively without.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all who commented on the vigil. I thought this was an unusual and moving war memorial and would have liked to have seen it. (preferably in Trafalgar Square!)
ReplyDeleteAnd we are repeating it...Lovely post Ruth...
ReplyDelete