At 5 a.m. on a foggy morning, 9 men housed in a secret location signed a formal agreement for all parties involved in World War 1 to cease fighting.
The negotiators met in secret in a rail car in Northern France. When they emerged an Armistice (ceasefire agreement) had been signed calling for the end of WW1 fighting at 11 a.m. that morning.
The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
Armistice Day was born. The day was originally observed to remember those who died in the first World war and has evolved into what it is today; Remembrance (Veteran's) Day.
A day to recognize, show our support of and reflect on those who serve their countries. A moment out of your life to make a point of sitting quietly for a minute and remembering.
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Remember lives lost and the families of these military men and women
It is not a celebration or honouring of war. It's an honouring of peace.
Most years I don't mention Remembrance Day. I quietly observe on my own, walking the 3 blocks to my town's memorial to watch the placing of the wreaths. This year feels a bit different though.
This year's Remembrance Day comes as peace seems to be slipping into the shadow of war for more and more families around the world.
Take a moment. Reflect on the veterans, the wars, the lives lost and how quickly everything you know can change.
Beautiful post....nicely put.
May God bless the families of the lost.
Thank you, Karen. What a powerful post to share today.
I've been watching the ceremony from Ottawa and listening to the voices of the veterans. Such stunning sacrifices.
Wishing peace and respect to all.
Thank you for the heartfelt tribute. So many sacrifices made,,,,
Every year now for the past 23 years I attend at the local cenotaph with hundreds of my fellow townsfolk to reflect on the cost of war. But as we reflect, the carnage of war goes on and will forever until humans are no more. Power, religious doctrine, economics, and so many other diverse differences between peoples will always generate a reason for us to meet on the battlefield.
Dear Karen,
Thank you and bless you for today's post.
We are so much in need of peace. As the world seems to be going up in flames, your thoughtful note resonates profoundly for many of us, your faithful reader.
I picked an olive branch in sign of peace and respect for all victims of war, past and present.
Thank you Karen
I never knew the history around Remembrance Day and thank you so much for caring and sharing! I couldn't help but think about the people that serve and how grateful I am that they have sacrificed so much of their time to serve while working on this puzzle. It was a challenge but most of all I'm so glad I took the time. Now I need to call my brother who served in Vietnam and thank him again. Stopping to celebrate ending war (my Grandpa in WW1 and my father in WW2) is better remembered by celebrate peace. You sure have a deep talent for expressing things that matter so much!
I had 5 uncles who were in the US Navy as well as my father. Sadly, they're all gone now (one uncle was only 18). Sometimes, it's really difficult to find the right words, but you did it beautifully. Please let us all remember those who served and are still doing so. Thank them for what was a gift to all of us by their service...may we all develop the same empathy and courage needed moving forward.
Well said. Hoping for peace in the world. Lest we forget.
Bless you, bless us all.
Thank you so much for this post, Karen. This year definitely feels different.
Thankyou, Karen. My heart hurts for us all. At this time of crisis in so many places, the old hatreds seem to have taken no time at all to roar back to full, hideous life. I fear for democracy and its values.
Thank you so much for this, Karen. Your post was beautifully worded and resonated very deeply with me.
My dad started out as a glider pilot in the Army Air Corps. He wasn't even 18 years old.
Thank you
We owe our veterans so much. Thank you, Karen, for a beautiful piece.
Beautifully written. I've been thinking about how I wanted to talk to my grandson about the day, and about the men and women in his family who served in various conflicts and how we honor them. I'll have him read your words to start the conversation. It's a tough year with so little peace, but we have to keep trying to achieve it.
Thank you Karen. Just thank you for taking the time to share this with your readers.
Thank you, Karen. Very well said and I agree with your sentiments.
Honor peace. 🕊️
This Vietnam Vet sincerely thanks you for your support. The freedoms we all enjoy have never been free. To all my Vietnam comrades in arms I say what we always say when we meet - "Welcome Home".
You always surprise and delight me Karen with your thoughts, musings, advice and wondeful humour. You've moved up another grade today.....thank you. Beautiful post.Timely and relevant.
From a UK veteran (with Canadian veteran relatives.)
I agree with you. Sadly, this year does feel different. We are in the USA, by the way. Our 14 year old went on the 8th grade trip to Washington, D.C. Beforehand, she wrote an essay and was chosen to participate in a wreath laying ceremony along with three classmates at Arlington National Cemetery.. She was so excited for the once-in-a-lifetime chance. Today, at 11am, she and her dad, an Army veteran, are playing their trumpets for Taps for Veterans at 11am.
P.s.Here is a picture of her. She's in the black dress.
Amen.