Attending Remembrance Day Ceremonies is perhaps the most common way to honour the men and women who have served and continue to serve Canada in times of war, military conflict and peace. However, it is important to explore a variety of additional ways we can remember and pay our respects to those who have sacrificed for our peace and freedom today.
Together we say "thank you" to one and a half million brave Canadians for their service and honour those who have fallen in the line of duty, by taking an active role to remember. Here's what you can do not only on Remembrance Day but all year round to say "thank you".
1. Get Social
Participate in class, online and in person in discussions about remembrance. Encourage others to do the same by sharing essays, poems, and written pieces about remembrance. Spread the word about all commemorative events, including Remembrance Day, across all social platforms.
Veterans Affairs Canada has a great app called Veterans Matter that can help you stay connected and access more information. It is also useful for locating find events, ceremonies and memorials near you. The more you know, the more you can pass onto others!
2. Speak with a Veteran
Take the time to sit down with a Veteran or Canadian Armed Forces Member to better understand life in the military and why we celebrate Remembrance Day. There is no better way to understand what is means to serve your country than to hear first hand from someone who has experienced it themselves. You can also invite a Veteran or Canadian Armed Forces Member to come to your class or community as a guest speaker. For more information about how to arrange a visit like this, click here.
If you can't arrange to have a guest speaker, try to find a video of an interview you can use instead. Veterans Affairs Canada has a number of interviews with Canadian Veterans from all across the country in a searchable database called "Heroes Remember".
3. Write
Writing is a simple yet powerful gesture. You can show the troops your appreciation by sending a message to them through the Department of National Defense website. You can also write to Veterans or members of the Canadian Armed Forces in a couple of different programs called "Postcards for Peace E-cards" and "Valentines for Vets".
If you know someone stationed overseas, write to them. Your encouragement and support from back home will go a long way.
4. Participate
Taking part in something meaningful is simple and can be done in many ways. Participate in commonly known initiatives to show your support for past and present troops. Wear a poppy, lay a wreath at the cenotaph, plant poppies, tulips or a Remembrance tree, and of course attend your local Remembrance Day ceremony. Barrie's ceremony is held at Memorial Square at 10:45 on November 11th following the Remembrance Day parade.
Another great way to get involved is by attending events to raise funds in support of our veterans. Stay up to date about these kinds of events by following The Royal Canadian Legion and Veterans Affairs Canada twitter accounts.
5. Create
Visual displays and artistic pieces are a beautiful way to honour those who serve. Help the kids create a peace crane or a poppy craft. Crafting can be a great way to open up conversations with kids and help them get involved. For Remembrance Day craft inspiration click here.
Leading by example is a great way to inspires the kids to create. You can also design a memorial or exhibit to be displayed at home or to the public using photographs, newspaper articles and artifacts.
6. Host a Care Package Party
This is a great alternative for those who would like to contribute but may be overwhelmed by the idea of fundraising. Gather your friends and family for a night dedicated to creating care packages that can be sent overseas to troops. There are a number of organizations that can help get you connected to the troops if you are unsure how to do so. It's important for troops overseas to know they are appreciated and being thought about back home.
7. Visit the Graveyard of a Fallen Soldier
Take the time to pay your respects to a fallen soldier you may have known or that you know of through others. Lay flowers, say a prayer and spend some time at their resting place.
Another wonderful way to pay your respects is to adopt a Veteran's grave in our community. With the permission of the soldier's family or the cemetery you can maintain their grave by digging weeds, planting flowers and cleaning the headstone.
Images courtesy of The Royal Canadian Legion and Veterans Affairs Canada via twitter.
