Reply #5: Wow. We're approaching the end of an era [View All]

[rockymountaindem]

I go to school in Canada, where "Rememberance Day" is still very focused on WWI (which it should be, but which we have expanded in the US to include all our veterans). WWI, for Canadians, represents a national turning point, because it was the first time Canada made a contribution on the international scene in a noticeable way. They had sent troops to South Africa in 1899, but in rather small numbers in a small war. The memory of WWI is of critical importance to Canada. They still wear little poppies on their clothes up here. Just the other day I bought one in a subway station from a WWII vet, who looked like he was mustering all his remaining strength just to pin it on me. I'll remember that all my life. He had an overcoat on over his uniform, so I couldn't see all his medals, but it looked from what I could see that he had some of the Commonwealth campaign medals from the European Theatre. The other thing that struck me was his Jewish War Veterans pin. I can only imagine the feelings he had then and now to have fought against the Nazis.

Just the other day, I was thinking of what it would be like in Canada when they hear the news that the last Canadian WWI vet has passed away. That day can't be too far in the future now, sadly. I wear the poppies every year since I've been here because their men and women fought alongside ours, and they are all worthy of our rememberance. I think it's a very nice tradition.