Remembrance Day in Canada is much like Memorial Day is in the US — a day where one reflects on the price of freedom. Usually, most Canadians are pretty quiet about the toll freedom extracts. We’re a hearty, flannel-wearin crowd that drinks a lot of beer to push it to the back of our psyche.
This year, because of the cathartic cleaning, it feels a bit different. One of the things I couldn’t send to the Land of Discarded Stuff was a memorial card for my grandfather. He passed away on November 12, 1990. It’s hard to think that he’s been gone for 14 years.
He was a veteran of the second world war. He served in Europe… never really talked much about his experiences. There were times he tried. When he got home, he stayed in the army for years as a sergeant major, and then worked on the base as a civilian. My grandparents were very involved in the Royal Canadian Legion.
I will always associate Remembrance Day with my grandfather.
I miss him. I need a beer.
In their honour:
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.- Binyon, For the Fallen, 1914
Ok. I’m done being sappy. I need another beer.
