This month, as the Big Leaf maples paint the landscape with golden hues, we have an opportunity for solemn reflection; on November 11th, we come together to honour veterans, and remember those men and women who died in service to our country. Through parades, ceremonies, and the iconic red poppy, we pay our respects to those who lived – and died – through the horrors of war.
Every year on this day, I go to the Cobble Hill Remembrance Day service. It’s a moving and poignant event. The hall is always packed with local people, and I recall being moved deeply by some excellent speeches over the years. I feel so grateful to join my community for these touching services. This particular annual event is marked into my calendar with a consistency that’s hard to find in most other aspects of modern-day life. There is something truly so important about Ceremony.
But, I don’t think Remembrance Day is just about looking back at history; it is about reflecting on how we can actively work towards a more peaceful world in the here and now. It is a call to action, imploring us to nurture the spirit of peace within ourselves and in our communities.
In our everyday lives, this might mean staying curious, and holding empathy for people who are different from us. It might mean dedicating time to acts of community service, or bravely reaching out to resolve some conflict in your personal life.
Now more than ever, we need to renew our commitment to peace.
The truest way to honour our veterans is by actively participating in the creation of a more peaceful, harmonious world. The stories of those who served should remind us of the cost of conflict, and the value of diplomacy, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence. November 11th is a reminder that the pursuit of peace is not just a distant ideal; it’s a duty that falls on our shoulders today, in our communities and in our relationships.
Sonia Furstenau